Suiting Up

Warning this blog will contain yet more references to Robert Downey Junior but hopefully I can tie it all together by the end.

In 2008 Roberts character Tony Stark announced to the media he was in fact Iron Man (Iron Person for those who are sensitive to the whole gender neutral thing). For those who are not paid up members of team geek this is not normal superhero behaviour. Most hero’s will have a secret identity to protect themselves and the ones they love.

What I like about this he is saying here I am and I am not worried about people knowing. I much prefer this approach rather than a certain other billionaire super hero that hides in a cave and dresses like a flying rodent(I also F#$king hate bats!!!).

Both characters demonstrate different ways of dealing with a situation both billionaires, both intelligent both have lost their family yet the characters that they create couldn’t be further apart one bright, bold and visible the other dark and hidden by shadow. Considering all the ingredients are the same the outcome is very different. This is exactly the same as people with anxiety or mental health issues, they are umbrella terms. Situations could be similar but how people choose to show or deal with their issues could be completely different.

I personally struggled being Batman the hero using his suit and secret identity to hide what he was or what he went through.

I am far more comfortable being Iron man the hero acknowledging who he is and what he has been through. And make no mistake about anyone managing day to day with anxiety or mental health issues is a hero.

The title of the post is Suiting Up and this week has been my first week back in work since mid November. So just like my favourite hero it was time to suit up and see what I could do. Now when I last wore the suit it looked a little like this.

Got a few miles on it hasn’t it and even though it’s bright and bold and I was always upfront about my anxiety the suit wasn’t enough. So is the answer a stronger suit? Partially, learning how to use it properly and develop new ways to support the suit is what I desperately needed i wont lie there has been some chemical enhancement.I am proud to say though with the support of my family, friends, doctor, therapist, colleuages and the good people that make sertraline(#teamsertraline you know who you are). Monday morning came round and it was this bad boy that went on

My first week back has been a test, I have only done three days but I feel good. Everyone has been incredibly supportive and I can’t thank them all enough.

The big question now is will I always need the suit, for now the suit will be staying on. It will still be the bright, bold suit and it will stay on as long as it’s needed. I know there is still work to do and things I need to address to get to a point wear I can hang the suit up but this isn’t somthing that needs rushing.

In all the movies that feature Ironman he uses the suit to do amazing things none of it would be possible without having his mind In a good place. most of the time thinking the problem through is why he succeeds.

Nobody should be scared to have to put on the suit and nobody should be worried that they can’t think a problem through.

I hope everyone has a wonderful festive season it can be tough so some people will need their wingmen more than ever remember we are always there when you need us.

Stay well everyone