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Not to overshare (I’m totally about to overshare), but my mental health has been going down the drain more erratically than one of those ‘'marble in the sink'' ASMR TikTok, if you don’t know, get to know; they’ll change your life. I’ve tried everything: therapy, meds, smoking phat bowls, cutting my own bangs, shagging ugly men, more therapy, more bangs, but I still feel like total shit (just little BPD things am I right?). I’ve taken off the metaphorical medical cum-catcher (my medication) and I’m going balls deep on my mental illness. Here’s how.

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Q: How can you tell LJ wrote a blog?

A: When there’s a needless definition section ofc!

WTF is "rawdogging mental illness?"

‍def. Rejecting the use of therapy and medication to cope with symptoms of mental illness. Instead opting for Pinterest, ‘me time’, and smelling every single candle on the shelf at TK Maxx.

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Why am I rejecting medicine?

Honestly, meds just didn’t work for me. I always felt super robotic, devoid of emotions, and as much as my inner Amy-Dunne-Lana-Del-Femcel brain thought that was a total red-pilled slay, something was stopping me from feeling like myself. For many, medication is a literal life-saver, and if you’ve found a prescription that fits you then don’t need to come off it because a silly little blog on a silly little website told you to. Part of healing involves making best interest decisions for yourself. It’s all about personal preferences, baby.

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Why am I meant to do?

I’m no rawdogging expert (at least not this kind of rawdogging), but I’ve got some sound bits of advice for what to do when you’re feeling some type of way.

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1) For my manic girlies

You’ve got the overwhelming urge to get several piercings, text your ex, quit your job and move to Italy, and just generally cause problems. Put down the scissors! You don’t need a fringe in this very moment. You’re feeling manic. I’ve been there, we all have. Every time you have an ‘I need to do this right now’ thought, take a minute to reflect; would I have wanted to do this yesterday? Will I still want to do it tomorrow? Will this decision benefit my life? If no, hold off. Fill your need to splurge by ‘shopping’ for a cute fit on Pinterest, hitting up the charity shops and looking for something hyper-specific, or making shopping lists before you leave the house. Draw out cash to spend or move money around into a separate account so you’ve got limits in place. Tell people around you how you’re feeling as soon as you realise you’re dealing with a manic stage. Make friends with your vibe instead of over-sexualising yourself for the benefit of others. Stay away from black or red hair dyes (they’re the worst to try and get out), and if you’re desp for a tattoo or piercing then get yourself a fake one. Inkbox is great for all the manic baddies. This feeling is temporary, you’re not too much to deal with and you don’t need to keep changing yourself - you’ve always been enough. Once you’re over this admittedly scary speed-bump, you’ll realise that.

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2) For The Lows

Can’t haul yourself out of bed? Got a steady stream of dirty cups and bowls at your bedside? Have your phone on DND and are otherwise MIA from the world? You could be dealing with a depressive episode. That’s fine. We’ve been there, even though it probably feels like nobody could even begin to understand how sad you are in that moment. There’s no such thing as an original experience, girlie. We’re going to take some baby steps to get you back on your feet.

Here’s something that I’d never thought of ‘til I did it - you can sit down whilst you brush your teeth, wash your face, actually you can sit down and do pretty much any job. Believe me, it makes self care a hell of a lot easier. If we’re not quite back to full-on-skincare-routine normality just yet, a makeup wipe and some mouthwash are better than nothing. Put on some comfort TV and make a list of jobs, both high and low priority, ones that you can ask for help with and ones you can’t. Asking for help isn’t embarrassing, and your pals won’t mind. (They don’t hate you by the way.)

Read a book, or listen to a podcast - it’s a weirdly good way to get comfier with conversations again. Take a break from socials, you don’t need to be comparing your life to other people’s. I know plenty of influencers, and trust me when I say their online personas are as fake as their Birkins. Have a hot drink and read some fanfics if you’re into that sort of thing. It’ll be okay. You are That Bitch, you always were That Bitch, and you always will be That Bitch.

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3) Herbal Remedies (not the fun kind)

If someone mentioned a herbal solution to mental illness, I’d be getting out the Blazey Susans (I only smoke girl blunts), but this is a slightly less exciting and probably much healthier solution: Ashwagandha. Ashwagandha is perhaps best known for its ability to reduce stress. It’s classified as an adaptogen, a substance that helps the body cope with stress. In a small study with 58 participants, those who took 250 or 600 mg of Ashwagandha extract for 8 weeks had significantly reduced perceived stress and levels of the stress hormone cortisol compared with those who took a placebo. The participants who took the Ashwagandha supplements experienced significant improvements in sleep quality too. That’s the boring science out the way.

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4) Reaching Out

Look, man, taking a moment to be real with you - this mental health shit is HARD, and sometimes, you might need some extra help. There’s no shame in that, bestie. Send a text or jump on the phone with a friend. People love you, and they want to help wherever they can. If you’re dealing with a mental health crisis and need urgent help, call Samaritans on 116 123 or if you’re not comfortable with phone calls, text SHOUT on 85258. There’s always someone who’ll listen, and there’s no shame in needing some professional advice. You’re not alone. Whether you’re rawdogging the brain bugs, or you’re double teaming that shit with a therapist; you’re doing great <3

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