Hannnah MaireDec 13, 20202 minThree mental health lessons from 2020This time next week, I will be completely off the two medications that have caused the majority of my mental health issues for the past...
Hannnah MaireNov 25, 20202 minAn inside guide to Valium withdrawalIn conversations about my ongoing withdrawal process, I have noticed there is a misconception that as soon as you stop taking a drug,...
Hannnah MaireNov 18, 20201 minMy top hack for reducing anxietyWhat’s the number one thing you do to reduce anxiety? At the top of my list is swimming in ocean pools, and I recently learned of the...
Hannnah MaireNov 15, 20202 minTips for writing through mental illnessA friend I’ve made online recently commented that she was amazed I could keep up my Instagram while experiencing mental illness. As...
Hannnah MaireNov 15, 20202 minParenting with chronic health issuesThe past nine months have taught me a lot of things about parenting with a chronic illness. It doesn’t matter if it’s mental or physical...
Hannnah MaireNov 2, 20202 minUnpacking bipolar IIYesterday something amazing happened. I made dinner and cleaned up. I played with my son, bathed him, put on his pyjamas, read him a book...
Hannnah MaireNov 1, 20205 minBenzodiazepine withdrawalWhile I was in hospital, I kept a diary of my stay. Below are excerpts from two particularly poignant days. They were the first two days...
Hannnah MaireOct 28, 20202 minAn exercise in self compassionTrigger warning: self harm and trauma During my recent stay at a psychiatric hospital, we started each group therapy session with 10...
Hannnah MaireOct 11, 20202 minUnwelcome suicidal ideationTrigger warning: suicide ideation I’m being admitted into hospital this morning for an intensive therapy program. Yesterday passed in a...
Hannnah MaireOct 7, 20202 minHospital admission for mental healthI’ve never been a very patient person, but 2020 is forcing me to learn patience as I navigate the way from mental health relapse to...
Hannnah MaireSep 26, 20202 minSurviving a night alone with anxietyI wrote this post in two halves. The first was just before spending my first night alone in our new house, after catching a train alone...
Hannnah MaireSep 22, 20202 minIdentifying through labels and illnessFor the first time this week, I heard about the controversial side to Lyme’s disease. I read a New York Times article where the author...
Hannnah MaireSep 14, 20202 minMothers, wives and women who self-harmTrigger warning: self-harm I recently found myself in a situation I haven’t been in for a number of years. I was having a massage and had...
Hannnah MaireSep 13, 20202 minMental health recoveryToday was a lazy Sunday on the beach. My feet in the sand, connected to the earth, breathing in salt and light, breathing out the...
Hannnah MaireSep 7, 20201 minHappiness as the absence of painHappiness can be a fairly abstract concept that is hard to define. It’s something I’m constantly striving for, and at times I think Annie...
Hannnah MaireSep 6, 20202 minA day of self-careI have taken time off work and study to help while I’m working at rebuilding my mental wellness. Now more than ever, it’s important to...
Hannnah MaireSep 1, 20201 minA hard truthI had a break through this week. I think I was starting to believe the highlights reel I have curated on here. The reality is that there...
Hannnah MaireAug 27, 20201 minFaith in humanityAfter work this afternoon, I walked down to the local beach and took another walk. I love the experience of grounding through a barefoot...
Hannnah MaireAug 26, 20202 minRituals and self-help booksI realised this week I haven’t been brushing my hair much recently 🤦🏼♀️ This is a real change to before the world ended, where I loved...
Hannnah MaireAug 23, 20203 minParenting with PTSDI have been actively trying to leave my phone in the bedroom more often and not take it out with me. I realise that in the absence of...