Developing & maintaining friendships.

Since leaving high school, I have learnt a lot about friendships, since talking out about mental illness, I have learnt a lot about friendships and since I started blogging I have learnt a lot about friendships too. 




High school friendships


When I first left high school, I moved areas and this was a big change, I was no longer going to college with friends who I had spent 5 years with (if not longer) and I HAD to make new friends. This in some ways was good, it built up my confidence, however, I lost a lot of my 'old' friends when we moved and this was obviously upsetting. At first I found this particularly hard, but now nearly 2 years on I realise that if people wanted to be in my life they would stay. I have now made loads of new friends whilst at college and this has given me a massive confidence boost.

Speaking out about mental illness


Then, when I made the decision to speak out about my mental illness, I definitely realised who my friends where and they were the ones who stuck by my side throughout everything. The one big problem with mental health is the stigma which is still attached to it, this should not happen and this needs to change. However, this will not change if no one speaks out about their mental health, one of the main reasons I spoke out about mine was to encourage others to speak out about theirs, this then in time will help put an end to the stigma. One thing I have learnt from speaking out is what people care and what people don't, what people stayed to help me and what people ran away when I needed their help and support. This has shown me the true colours of a lot of my 'friends' but I'm grateful for this.

Hard times will always reveal true friends

Blogging and friendships

Starting a blog was something I never thought I would ever do but it's such a supportive community with the most wonderful people in. I have met some of the most amazing people through my blog and I am so glad, my blog has allowed me to make a lot of new friends. I know social media gets a lot of negativity but since I've started blogging I have realised that there is also a positive side to social media. I promote my blog mainly through Twitter but I also use Instagram and Facebook to help get a wider,more diverse audience. Everyone in the blogging community is supportive and I've had numerous amounts of conversations with people going through the same or similar to me. Blogging is truly an AMAZING community.

 The most important thing to realise is that events that happen in your life make you realise who your 'true' friends are!

Comments

  1. Unknown8 July 2018 at 17:15

    I also believe that hard times do really reveal your true friends. Only those who are and willig to put up with you will stay! Good to know that blogging has helped you find a community to share your thoughts with! :)

    Ellaine | In Betweens

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Courtney McDonald8 July 2018 at 22:32

      Exactly that Ellaine!! The blogging community is great! x

      Delete
  2. Unknown24 July 2018 at 22:13

    Nice post! Have experience of finding out who’s there in hard times. Sadly for me it meant finding out that this meant family too

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Courtney McDonald28 July 2018 at 16:17

      It is hard when people don't stick by you when you need them the most, but it makes your realise who you can rely on etc!
      Hope your okay!x

      Delete

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