Why I said “porn” in a speech

A couple of weeks ago I got up on stage with our Sanctus Partner, Paddle, and said the word “porn”.

And a few other words, including…”sex”, “money” and “drugs”.

I said “pets”, “dating” and “body image”.

And not forgetting “work” and “stress”.

…why did I say all of this, I hear you ask?

They’re all things, among the millions of other topics, that impact our mental health, whether positively or negatively.

If you’re able to think about it, then it impacts your mental health in some way.

Ever since I’ve realised this, I’ve been a lot kinder to myself about the things I do and don’t want to do.

It’s become a hell of a lot easier to say no.

If literally everything I do will affect my mental health in some way, then why not prioritise the things that’ll make me feel good?

I say “prioritise” rather than “only do”, because we’re all going to have a little vice every now and again which isn’t exactly the best thing for our mental health, but might still make us feel good.

But knowing that everything I do will impact my mental health, makes me think more consciously about the things that I’m doing.

And it helps me to justify my reasons when I say yes to some things but avoid others.

The point is…here’s to continuing making talking about however we’re feeling and whatever’s going on for us, good or bad, easier & free of judgement.