What is your biggest (non mental health condition) achievement?

[MarkJT]

Was watching, "The Voice" last night and there was a young lass who didn't leave the house for two years because of panic attacks, how here she is on National TV singing in front of four judges.

I sat back and thought that even if no one turns around and picks her, she has already won - what a brilliant achievement that was.

What is your biggest achievement?

Mine is overcoming PTSD and functioning quite well but the mental health conditions aside, I would have to say completing my first marathon. A pure punishment of the mind and body and I completed this in the early days of my recovery when i was quite wounded and struggling.

To be able to push myself to complete it gave me a massive burst of confidence that I can overcome the PTSD beast and get on with life.

Mark

[MarkJT]

9 names, you're memory sounds like it is like mine....now what was i going to say....hmmmm.....yep that's it - if you remember what the name of the thread is, let me know!

Mark.

[Airies]

Hi MsPurple

im sure you can do it. I ran some marathons in my younger days lots of hard training on the roads and stuffed my knees in the process. You don't see many old runners anymore. Find a good training plan and be kind to yourself in the process. Just getting to the start line is an achievement. I no longer run, learnt to swim only a few years back and now cycle when well, walk and use my indoor rower. I remember when I used to struggle to run from one telegraph pole to another. All the best with your training and don't underestimate the positives from excecise. I've struggled lately, punctures, cold weather any excuse but kicked of Winter with a 2 hour walk wth my dog.

You can reach your goal. All the best

cheers LenM

ps I'd love to row a marathon on my indoor rower but my backside protests. 20 ks is my limit. 10 ks is my norm. Eat and hydrate well cheers

[MarkJT]

LenM, awesome advice that. I ran a few marathons also but my knees are still okay....for now. Wondering when the time will come that they will start to pack it in!!

How good is when you cross that finish line. One of the best feelings ever, then the pain returns!!

Mark

[Guest_128]

Hey,

When I was just 17 I gave birth to my baby boy,now 27,I have always worked and bought him up the best I could.

Later

[quirkywords]

Everyone

Just discovered this thread and all the wonderful thing people have achieved. I feel a bit intimidated as I cant really think of any achievement outside one's relating to living with a mental illness. I will have to think.

I once entered a poetry slam competition and found myself with 5 other contestants who were very experienced at poetry slams and had all had poems published. I had a go and performed 4 times but my performance had nothing to do with poetry!! Afterwards people from audience came up and said my performance was a more Stand- up comedy!! Ok not much of an achievement,but for me I took a risk and lived to tell the tale. I tried something out of my comfort zone.

[MarkJT]

9 names, huge achievement that. Bringing up a baby to adult when you had him when you were 17, massive. Well done!!

Mark

[MarkJT]

quirkywords, i have to respectfully disagree in you saying that it is not much of an achievement. To deliberately put yourself out of your comfort zone is a very difficult thing to do and that is no doubt an achievement that should be and needs to be recognised.

All the best achievements in the world have been achieved by people getting out of their comfort zones and no one really achieves greatness without getting out of their comfort zone.

To face up to and recovery from a mental health condition takes one to get massively out of their own comfort zones.

Well done - that is huge as far as I am concerned.

Mark.

[quirkywords]

Thanks Mark

It is hard not comparing yourself with others instead of thinking what we can do.

This thread is a place to admire others achievements and recognise our own.

Thanks everyone for contributing.

Quirky

[MarkJT]

Quirky, absolutely it is difficult to not compare ourselves to others but i guess i mean this, in a negative light. I think it is fine to compare yourself to someone else in a positive way.

I mean I look at someone like Wayne Schwass who is doing incredible things to break the mental health stigma and I compare myself to him as someone I strive to be like.

Mark

[quirkywords]

MarkJT

Do you think that people who have a high media profile can do more as they can get a lot of media coverage?

I think it is wonderful what Wayne Schwass is doing but if he hadn't been a well known footballer would as many people heard of his good work. I think it is wonderful when well known people use their personal experience to help others.

I think you Mark are doing a great job here by giving your time and listening to people with compassion and intelligence.

Quirky