I'll go first...

During a workshop I facilitated last year, one of the participants bravely shared his experiences of poor mental health and addiction with the group.

There was a moment of fear where I could see he was worried he had shared too much. His boss was there. What if it was held against him? What if it damaged his career prospects going forward?

I quickly responded, sharing my own experience of addiction. Suddenly, about four other people in the room spoke up and said they also had experienced addiction!

Suddenly, about half of that room had a shared experience that none of them had even talked about with anyone at work before. They now had a network of other people they could reach out to, a network of people who truly understood.

In that moment, they realised they didn't have to carry around this 'deep dark' secret, thinking they were the only ones.

All because one brave participant went first, stood up, and shared something vulnerable with the group.

And that started a domino effect.

It’s terrifying going first. What if there is just awkward silence and exchanged looks? What if no one joins you in the vulnerable space?

But in every room, there are people struggling—whether it's poor mental health, bereavement, pregnancy loss, anxiety, depression, or whatever! Not talking about these things doesn't make them go away; it just means people suffer on their own.

When you are vulnerable and show others it’s okay to be vulnerable too, you normalise the struggle.

And that is where the real magic begins!

#Wellbeing #Vulnerability #MentalHealth #Addiction