In today’s solo episode, Alice reflects back on the conversations she’s had with people during lockdown surrounding their fears; about Covid, their lives and the future. All sounds a bit meta and scary, but we found it reassuring to know that whatever we’re feeling (and however ‘well’ we think we coped with lockdown) we’re not on our own. We made it – maybe kicking and screaming – but we bloody made it.
She'll discuss:
(4:57) The fear of uncertainty – how it lends itself to anxiety, even among people who wouldn’t typically consider themselves to have mental health challenges.
(8:50) Everyone struggling through this together – how it can be a comfort but also a curse
(11:15) Fear of the society as a whole – the impact of Covid as well as the realisation that things were not all that rosy before we went into lockdown, especially in the context of systemic racism conversations following the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement.
(14:21) Alice’s current mental health struggles – self doubt and imposter syndrome around small business ownership. Existential crisis around the company as well as comparison with others.
(24:44) Fear of making the wrong decisions – how we should be allowed to feel regret
(29:09) How mental health challenges will continue post lockdown (brief discussion of suicide rates)
(30:58) Managing your mental health as a business owner – how to ride the wave
(31:38) The importance of learning self-management and self-care around mental health
(34:24) Why it’s important to feel our feelings and process them in real-time
(39:46) Why we should rethink work in order to be more fulfilled in our lives
(41:04) The fear of wasting time – regrets around how we’ve spent quarantine and how we can rethink this.
(44:40) Closing points – message of support going into the ‘new normal’ and practical advice on how to maintain a sense of control and agency in this uncertain time. Reassurance that this is a moment in time that we can all learn from, grow from and derive a sense of meaning from.
(51:00) Dark Coffee news: public workshops in July around journaling and visioning for professional success and personal development.
If you’d like to stay up-to-date on Dark Coffee’s events and workshops, sign up to our newsletter on www.darkcoffee.co.uk or connect with Alice on social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicelyons/
Instagram: @dark.coffee.wellbeing
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Dark Coffee starts brave and bullshit-free conversations around mental health, wellbeing and business.
Join wellbeing advocate Alice Lyons as she attempts to normalise the conversation around mental health, from suicide to satisfaction and everything in between.
Dark Coffee aims to create a safe space to explore dark topics with curiosity and compassion.
Join the conversation by sharing this episode, subscribing to the podcast or following Alice across social media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicelyons/
Instagram: @dark.coffee.wellbeing
Dark Coffee provide mental health training for SME’s and professionals. To find out more, take a look at our website or get in touch: www.darkcoffee.co.uk
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Podcast presented and edited by Alice Lyons.
Music Credit: ‘Infinite Landscape’ by Corinne.
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Suicide and Emotional Support Organisations - UK
Samaritans: Confidential suicide discussion and emotional support. Call - 116123. Email - jo@samaritans.org. Website - www.samaritans.org
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)Practical information, crisis care, suicide prevention and emotional support for men, Helpline: 0800 58 58 58 Open daily from 5pm - 11pm | Webchat: thecalmzone.net/hel
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