What is 'normal' anyway.

A talk based on my blog post of the same name: http://www.craigabbott.co.uk/what-is-normal-anyway.

It talks about dealing with mental health and my personal journey.

This talk was delivered at:
- Geek Mental Help Newcastle on 3rd October 2017.

Transcript

1. What is ‘normal’ anyway?
2. What is ‘normal’ anyway? 11.8K 192 19.3K 5,840 Craig Abbott @abbott567 Interaction Designer at @DWPDigital. Lover of cats and code. David Attenborough is my hero. #Vegan Newcastle upon Tyne
3. “I just want to be normal” @abbott567
4. I have depression and anxiety issues… so right now, I’m anxious as hell! @abbott567
5. I rarely talk about these issues @abbott567
6. “Cheer up mate.” “What do you have to be down about?” “Things can’t be that bad!” @abbott567
7. I’ve always had a need to fit in @abbott567
8. @abbott567 I’ve changed my identity repeatedly
9. @abbott567 The emo phase
10. @abbott567 The skater phase
11. @abbott567 The indie phase
12. @abbott567 The gym phase
13. @abbott567 I chose the wrong career
14. My first place of work was not a safe place, I was bullied every day for almost a decade. @abbott567
15. I experienced burnout for almost 3 years because I didn’t want to let anybody down @abbott567
16. @abbott567 The ‘party capital’. The home of Geordie Shore.
17. I hated clubbing, it made me anxious but I didn’t want to be ‘boring’ @abbott567
18. Anxiety is exhausting @abbott567
19. Getting wasted helped me escape. I’d just get my brain too messed-up to think about anything. @abbott567
20. I’d find ways to numb what I was feeling, rather than actually feeling it. @abbott567
21. I became selfish, angry and unapproachable @abbott567
22. Boys are conditioned to ignore their feelings. And so anger became the only way I could express anything. @abbott567
23. This behaviour made me hate myself @abbott567
24. My entire life had been doing stuff because of fear and guilt, with zero support. @abbott567
25. @abbott567 I was always seeking validation from others
26. @abbott567 I over analyse everything. I always see how things could have been better. How I should have been better.
27. @abbott567 Creative people are far more likely to dwell on the detail.
28. Attention to detail is the difference between painting a picture and a masterpiece. But it’s also the reason why we ruminate. @abbott567
29. In this industry, it is rare for you to come up with anything on your own @abbott567
30. Imposter syndrome An inability to internalise ones accomplishments. A persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud. @abbott567
31. At the age of 31, I realised I have no idea who I am. @abbott567
32. Surround yourself with positive, like-minded people. @abbott567
33. DWP is the first job I’ve had where I feel truly supported. Where I’m encouraged to be individual and to challenge the status quo. @abbott567
34. “An entire sea of water can’t sink a ship unless it gets inside the ship. Similarly, the negativity of the world can’t put you down unless you allow it to get inside you.” - Goi Nasu. @abbott567
35. @abbott567 Stop overworking. You’re good enough.
36. Overworking is a fallacy. It’s not sustainable. @abbott567
37. We’re so obsessed with managing our time, that we forget to take time to just be. @abbott567
38. You’re unique, like everyone else. @abbott567
39. If you don’t think you’ve progressed as a person, go back 5 years on one of your social media profiles… Then cringe. @abbott567
40. @abbott567
41. @abbott567
42. Discover what makes you happy @abbott567
43. @abbott567
44. Don’t suffer in silence @abbott567
45. @abbott567
46. Don’t conform. Be true to yourself. @abbott567
47. @abbott567 We’re all a bit broken. But broken crayons still colour the same.
48. KTHXBAI Twitter: @abbott567 Email: craig@craigabbott.co.uk North East Counselling Services: https://www.necounselling.org.uk Blog post: http://www.craigabbott.co.uk/what-is-normal-anyway 5 year journal: http://abtt.co/5-year-journal