Unfortunately there isn't just an 'On' & 'Off' switch!

If you were asked to draw someone who was depressed, how would you do it? Let me guess, your depressed little character would have their shoulders slumped, their eyes looking at their toes, and a very prominent upside down U for a mouth. Well believe it or not, depression is hard to spot among most of us. It's usually the happiest of people that are suffering with depression. People wack on a smile every day, hold their head up high, and try to kid the world (and themselves) that they're okay.

The reason why I'm writing this is for us as a generation, to support those who are suffering from a mental illness, (Not just depression). I see far too many posts on social networking sights about peoples unhappiness, and I'm not okay with it. Yes some of it may be down to a bad relationship, or a shitty job, but people who make jokes about 'committing suicide' or 'harming themselves' shouldn't go unnoticed. It isn't funny. It's a cry for help.

Having a mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of!

 (It's very important you understand this!)

I personally suffer from anxiety infused depression. What does this mean? It means that I  worry about absolutely everything, and anything, to the point where it makes me depressed, sometimes ill. You may think that's a little over board, but it's true. That simple little comment that you made last week "as a joke" I'm still thinking about it. The reason I didn't attend that party wasn't because I wasn't 'feeling well' or 'was busy' it's because I was worrying about every minor factor until I told myself I physically couldn't go. Some people may be reading this and be thinking "how stupid" and that's exactly how I feel too. If I could change my way of thinking, I would. But negative attitudes towards mental illnesses needs to change. Mental illness is just as important as a physical illness and just because you don't understand something, doesn't mean you shouldn't try to.

Don't sit back and let people suffer in silence. If you suffer with mental illness yourself, or know anyone who does, spreading a little positivity in their direction can help. Stunning actress Angelina Jolie openly talks about her relationship with depression time and time again, saying how she was 'miserable' and 'didn't know her place in this world' and how if it wasn't for her husband Brad Pitt, she wouldn't be with us today

Quote from Brad Pitt

"My wife got sick. She was constantly nervous because of problems at work, personal life, her failures and problems with children. She had lost about 30 pounds and weighed about 90 pounds in her 35 years. She got very skinny and was constantly crying. She wasn't very happy. She had suffered from continuing headaches, heart pain, jammed nerves in her back and ribs. She did not sleep well, falling asleep only in the morning and got tired very quickly during the day. Our relationship was on the verge of a break up. Her beauty was leaving her somewhere, she had bags under her eyes and had stopped taking care of herself. She refused to shoot films and rejected any role. I lost hope, and thought we'll get a divorce soon. 

But then i decided to act on it. After all I've got the most beautiful woman on earth. She is the idol of more than half off men and women on earth, and i was the one allowed to fall asleep next to her and hug her shoulders. I began to pamper her with flowers, kisses and compliments. I surprised her and pleased her every minute. I gave her lots of gifts just for her. I spoke in public only about her. I praised her in front of her own and our mutual friends. You wont believe it, but she blossomed. She became better than before. She gained weight, was no longer nervous all the time and loved me more than ever.

And then I realised one thing: The woman is the reflection of her man."

Inspiring right? Simply asking how people are, being positive, little gestures, will help those who suffer by not making them feel like outsiders. Making them feel included, and not feeling like just a 'waste of space'. It's incredibly hard for me to open up about my mental illness, however I want people to know that they're not alone. If you ever need someone to talk to, as a friend, or just for someone to listen to your problems (No matter how stupid you may feel they are)- I'm here.

An A-Z list - things to be grateful for!

Feeling a little down? Lacking positivity in your life? Here is a list from A-Z of things I'm grateful for. 
Maybe you should make a list too. 

A-Art 

It's all around you, you just need to open your eyes. Art inspires me everyday. 

B-Best friend's.

There isn't a day that goes by, that my best friend hasn't managed to make me laugh.

C-Cats.

Not just my own cat, Henry. But cat video's and pictures are all over the internet making me smile everyday. 

D-Dogs.

My beautiful little dog, Dollie has been with us for 12 years now. She is one of my best friend's. 

E-England.
Living in England highlights how lucky I am. There's such beauty in this country.

F-Family.

If I could move 'family' to the top of the list, I would. I adore each and every member of my family.

G-Games.
Whether they're online, on a board or involve drinking, games are one of the best ways to have fun. They allow you to really connect with your families over the holidays, bond with your friends at parties or even just pass the time.

H-Holidays.
Words can't explain how much I love going on holiday. The sun, the tan, the sea. Love love love.

I-Internet
Could you just imagine your life without the internet? Just stop.

J-Jam.

Jam on toast, jam sandwiches, jam in biscuits, jam in cakes... any kind of jam? I'm having it.

K-Kylie Jenner.
Kylie has shown me that you can go from a 4 to a solid 10...with the right contouring. Don't let anyone treat you like you're 2012 Kylie Jenner, you are a 2016 Kylie Jenner.

L-Love.
The feeling, the gestures, the romance, the flowers, the cuddles. I love, love.

M-Money.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not made of money. In fact I'm in a heck of a lot of student debt. However, I'm very fortunate to have a roof over my head and food on the table. 

N-Netflix. 

What more is there to say?

O-Optimism.
This is something I am personally working on. To all my friends who have optimism towards life inspire me everyday.

P-Pajamas

Whether I'm sleeping or having a lazy day, Pj's are the best. 

Q-Quiet.

Having some time with my thoughts in the peace and quiet are moments I treasure.

R-Rain.

The smell of rain. The sound of rain. The sight of rain. 

S-Songs.

Imagine living in a world with no music, where no songs played on the radio and no songs got stuck in your head. We wouldn't even be able to sing happy birthday!

T-Tea
A cup of tea makes everything better.

U-University.

Going to University was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The friends I've made, the new skills I'm learning, and the sense of independence I've gained is incredible. 

V-Vodka.
University got the better of me.

W-Wine.
I love a glass of wine with my meal when my boyfriend treats me to dinner.

X- X-ray.
And I know what you're thinking. What a cop out? She might as well have put xylophone. But believe it or not I am truly grateful for X-rays. The amount of times I've broken a bone, or thought I'm dying (I'm a hypochondriac)... X-rays have always reassured me that everything's okay.

Y-Yoga.
I have recently found Yoga. It really helps me relax, and doesn't make me feel like a fat lump.

Z-Zoe Sugg.
This lady has shown me that anything is possible when you believe in yourself. If a normal girl like Zoe can make something of her life, why can't I?