One Foot Forward Week #2
reflections from the second week of fundraising for better mental healthcare
— For a bit of background info on One Foot Forward and why I’m doing it, see this post!
One Foot Forward
As October is mental health month, and I am currently in the midst of a mental health crisis, I’m taking part in One Foot Forward to raise funds and awareness for the Black Dog Institute. I pledge to walk 40km over the month of October.
Wednesday October 8
I ended up leaving work with a migraine last night, then having a hard phone call with management. My period arrived unexpectedly today so I basically rolled around in bed being miserable all day! No kms towards my goal today unfortunately.
Thursday October 9
A pretty uneventful day exercise wise. I clocked up 2km on the treadmill today with no resistance from my body, which felt really good. Once that was out of the way though, it was all downhill! I had a shocking mental health day so I took my own advice from my recent Self Comfort 101 post (will link below), and though it didn’t make my depression magically disappear, I did feel more comforted and soothed. Then I got on here at midnight and started rage typing a new draft that may or may not see the light of day at some point haha.
Friday October 10
Today is the heaviest day of my bleed and I absolutely did NOT feel like doing any walking today. I figured I’d just jump on the treadmill and take it step by step. I was ready to jump off at 1.5km but then Levels by Avicii started playing and it felt wrong to stop my walk for mental health knowing that he died by suicide. So I kept going through the song, and then another, and managed to do another km (total of 2.5km) before calling it a day. I was TIRED but I felt pretty good. Until I didn’t.
I took myself to bed for a nap a couple of hours later and woke up with an absolutely banging migraine. THIS is why I have to listen to my body and not push myself too hard!
Perhaps walking 2.5km doesn’t sound like much to most people, but I was now suffering for pushing through when my body said, “it’s time to stop now”.
I dragged myself from bed to the kitchen, where I took my Relpax, blasted my heat pack in the microwave, and grabbed my sunglasses from my bag. I retreated back to the bedroom, lay on my back for three hours until the pain went from 9/10 to 4/10, and now I’m here typing this.
Note to future Emily: remember today next time you feel like ignoring your body.
Saturday October 11
A very gentle 1.8km today. Yesterday is still fresh in my mind hahaha.
Sunday October 12
It’s 36 degrees (C) here today and the world has no business being this hot in Spring. I’m tired and all I want to do is lay in the air conditioning and read. RIP those plans because I have kms to log!
I went for a nice walk with my partner and my dog once it cooled down a little, racked up 3.5km! This marks me crossing the halfway point, 20/40km!
Monday October 13
No kms today, I had a medical appointment before work and then I resigned from my job. Lots of big emotions over this, but the relief was overwhelming so I knew it was the right decision.
Tuesday October 14
I’ve now raised $865 out of my $1000 goal, I’m so close! If you’d like to donate, you can click here.
Today was day one of unemployment and I chose to spend it having a therapy appointment, chatting with my family, napping with my dog, and reading sad girl literature (My Year Of Rest And Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh).
No kms today BUT I have so much freedom now to get the second half done!
Well done! You’re smashing it!