Sunflower Living

Letting Go(ooo)

"Letting go exposes the lie"
In this episode we're letting go and facing the difficult decisions that often come with that.

Linky and Abile delve into the specific challenges that accompany letting go, sharing their experiences of letting go of relationships and expectations, embracing the process, and the beauty that comes with taking the courageous step to let go of anything that no longer serves you. 

Sometime’s things aren’t going to be okay for a while

Ever felt like you're in the middle of the mess and there just doesn't seem to be a way out? We often expect to fix the problem or challenge as quickly as it arrives but life in reality doesn't always work out that way. 

Things are tough right now in the world for many people and in this episode, Linky and Abile dive into the whole spectrum of when everything feels like too much and there appears to be no end in sight. We encourage approaching ourselves and others with gentleness and giving ourselves permission to feel our feelings.

 

There's no right way to do it but with a few tips and tools we are all able to wade through the unexpected. 

 

If you need help, reach out to a mental health professional. 

 

We would love to hear from you, leave us a review and find us on IG & FB - @sunflowerlivingpod. 

 

Beginning Anew

Bombarded by "New Year, New You" messaging, in their premiere episode for 2022, Linky and Abile discuss throwing out the resolutions playbook, and share why they've opted for tackling 1% of their goals and intentions. 

They also explore failure and the craze of 5am workouts. What's your take on new beginnings and the emotions that come with it? 

We'd love to hear from you - leave us a review, send us a message or DM us on FB & IG - @sunflowerlivingpod.

Asking & Receiving Help

“Just ask for help" is often easier said than done. In this episode, Abile and Linky discuss the nuances of asking for help, and why it's important to reach out even if it's difficult to ask for help.

They also cover how difficult it can be to receive that help, especially when you’ve had bad experiences with people wanting that assistance to be reciprocated. Lastly, they touch on the duality of weakness, the importance of reaching out to your community and trying again after rejection.

If you need help, see below how you can reach out to a helpline.

South Africa:

https://www.opencounseling.com/hotlines-za

USA:

https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help 

 

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook - @sunflowerlivingpod

From Diagnosis to Acceptance: Linky‘s Journey (Part 2)

In part 2 of the series, Linky steps up to the mic to discuss her journey with mental health. She shares keen insights into how voiceless someone can feel when trying to find the right diagnosis, as well as the bravery of always asking questions, even when it might not feel appropriate.

 

She shares her struggle with the medication and the need for us to persevere no matter how inconvenient it may feel. She reminds us to be gentle with ourselves as we navigate the difficulties that come with suffering from a mental illness. 

 

Linky goes on to also talk about the prevailing ignorance that still exists around mental health and how we can all be advocates, while not all being sufferers.

 

Find us on Instagram & Facebook - @sunflowerlivingpod

Send us your comments and questions. Is there a topic you would like us to cover? Let us know. 

From Diagnosis to Acceptance - Abi's journey (Part 1)

Trigger Warning: suicidal ideation, suicidal planning 

 

The ladies of Sunflower Living embark on a two-part series delving into their individual journeys. First up is Abile, who discusses the daunting challenge of starting to treat a mental illness at a young age and making sure the diagnosis is in fact the right one.  She discusses how negative associations in her home environment added to her shame and feelings of “otherness”, and where she is now, as an adult.

 

Abile also touches on being an advocate for yourself in your mental health journey and why we have to ask our medical professionals tougher questions, for our own good. 

 

Find us on IG & FB @sunflowerlivingpod

We Can't Be all Things: A conversation with Romi

Clinical Psychologist in community service, Romi, joins us on Sunflower Living this week. Romi shares her experience of the need for greater community engagement and awareness of the resources needed in the mental health space. 

 

We discuss the difference between failure and discovering what it is you don’t want for your life, collaborative psychological help and how that can be achieved despite several external factors that can’t be controlled.  She also offered a different perspective on our Toolbox and how we can start by using what we’ve got. 

 

Follow us on Facebook & Instagram, and send us any topics you would like to hear us discuss - sunflowerliving6@gmail.com.

Mental Health and Social Media

Social media is a part of all our lives. With that in mind, Abile and Linky are diving into social media: How it affects your mental health, perceptions of yourself and your presentation of yourself. The ladies of Sunflower Living pod HQ also talk about the value of putting your mental health first by switching off your phone and not engaging in the comments! 

Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! In this episode, Linky and Abi talk about the importance of having this month as chronic mental health sufferers, the nuances of the mental health space and the information and understanding it brings. We continue to be a voice in ending the stigma surrounding mental health and mental illness.

Not even on our worst enemies: Anxiety

In this episode, we have Lindelani Mbatha as our guest. Sharing his mental health story, he takes us through his upbringing in rural Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, his thoughts on why what we do for a living is the least interesting part about a person and shares a rare glimpse into the depths of his anxiety. In an unexpected twist, he becomes Sunflower Living's third co-host! 

 

Be sure to check out his podcast Radio Browser on Spotify, Apple Podcast and wherever you listen to podcasts and you can follow Lindelani on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @lindelanimbatha.