Sunflower Living

"Letting go exposes the lie" In this episode we're letting go and facing the difficult decisions that often come with that. Linky and Abile delve into the specific challenges that accompany letting go, sharing their experiences of letting go of relationships and expectations, embracing the process, and the beauty that comes with taking the courageous step to let go of anything that no longer serves you. 

Ever felt like you're in the middle of the mess and there just doesn't seem to be a way out? We often expect to fix the problem or challenge as quickly as it arrives but life in reality doesn't always work out that way.  Things are tough right now in the world for many people and in this episode, Linky and Abile dive into the whole spectrum of when everything feels like too much and there appears to be no end in sight. We encourage approaching ourselves and others with gentleness and giving ourselves permission to feel our feelings.   There's no right way to do it but with a few tips and tools we are all able to wade through the unexpected.    If you need help, reach out to a mental health professional.    We would love to hear from you, leave us a review and find us on IG & FB - @sunflowerlivingpod.   

Bombarded by "New Year, New You" messaging, in their premiere episode for 2022, Linky and Abile discuss throwing out the resolutions playbook, and share why they've opted for tackling 1% of their goals and intentions.  They also explore failure and the craze of 5am workouts. What's your take on new beginnings and the emotions that come with it?  We'd love to hear from you - leave us a review, send us a message or DM us on FB & IG - @sunflowerlivingpod.

“Just ask for help" is often easier said than done. In this episode, Abile and Linky discuss the nuances of asking for help, and why it's important to reach out even if it's difficult to ask for help. They also cover how difficult it can be to receive that help, especially when you've had bad experiences with people wanting that assistance to be reciprocated. Lastly, they touch on the duality of weakness, the importance of reaching out to your community and trying again after rejection. If you need help, see below how you can reach out to a helpline. South Africa: https://www.opencounseling.com/hotlines-za USA: https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help    Follow us on Instagram and Facebook - @sunflowerlivingpod

In part 2 of the series, Linky steps up to the mic to discuss her journey with mental health. She shares keen insights into how voiceless someone can feel when trying to find the right diagnosis, as well as the bravery of always asking questions, even when it might not feel appropriate.   She shares her struggle with the medication and the need for us to persevere no matter how inconvenient it may feel. She reminds us to be gentle with ourselves as we navigate the difficulties that come with suffering from a mental illness.    Linky goes on to also talk about the prevailing ignorance that still exists around mental health and how we can all be advocates, while not all being sufferers.   Find us on Instagram & Facebook - @sunflowerlivingpod Send us your comments and questions. Is there a topic you would like us to cover? Let us know. 

Trigger Warning: suicidal ideation, suicidal planning    The ladies of Sunflower Living embark on a two-part series delving into their individual journeys. First up is Abile, who discusses the daunting challenge of starting to treat a mental illness at a young age and making sure the diagnosis is in fact the right one.  She discusses how negative associations in her home environment added to her shame and feelings of “otherness”, and where she is now, as an adult.   Abile also touches on being an advocate for yourself in your mental health journey and why we have to ask our medical professionals tougher questions, for our own good.    Find us on IG & FB @sunflowerlivingpod

Clinical Psychologist in community service, Romi, joins us on Sunflower Living this week. Romi shares her experience of the need for greater community engagement and awareness of the resources needed in the mental health space.    We discuss the difference between failure and discovering what it is you don't want for your life, collaborative psychological help and how that can be achieved despite several external factors that can't be controlled.  She also offered a different perspective on our Toolbox and how we can start by using what we've got.    Follow us on Facebook & Instagram, and send us any topics you would like to hear us discuss - sunflowerliving6@gmail.com.

Social media is a part of all our lives. With that in mind, Abile and Linky are diving into social media: How it affects your mental health, perceptions of yourself and your presentation of yourself. The ladies of Sunflower Living pod HQ also talk about the value of putting your mental health first by switching off your phone and not engaging in the comments! 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! In this episode, Linky and Abi talk about the importance of having this month as chronic mental health sufferers, the nuances of the mental health space and the information and understanding it brings. We continue to be a voice in ending the stigma surrounding mental health and mental illness.

In this episode, we have Lindelani Mbatha as our guest. Sharing his mental health story, he takes us through his upbringing in rural Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, his thoughts on why what we do for a living is the least interesting part about a person and shares a rare glimpse into the depths of his anxiety. In an unexpected twist, he becomes Sunflower Living's third co-host!    Be sure to check out his podcast Radio Browser on Spotify, Apple Podcast and wherever you listen to podcasts and you can follow Lindelani on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @lindelanimbatha.

Often we're so hard on ourselves and struggle to see all that we have overcome. In this episode, Linky and Abile tackle resilience, its many facets and challenges, and various lessons that can be mined from both of those avenues. They also have a good laugh about similar ideas that they share! 

It’s always difficult to admit what provokes shame in a person. In this episode, Linky and Abile discuss shame, how it manifests, the instances that can bring shame to the surface and how we can grow despite our own shame, and the shame placed on us by others.    Share your thoughts with us on Facebook, Instagram or send us an email.   See: Linking Arms by Purposeful Living podcast mentioned in the episode.

Our first guest for 2021 is Lolita E. Walker! A phenomenal woman who describes herself as a change expert.  In their conversation with her, Linky and Abile learn about the importance of being and resting in your power, checking up on your strong friends and the importance of authenticity. As a coach Lolita works with individuals and teams to bring out their best selves in every aspect of their lives. You can check out her podcast "Coaching, Cocktails and Conversations" where she shares her insights and encourages people to live a life of purpose.

Body talk is quite a hot topic in the public domain. In this episode, Abile and Linky talk about their own experiences with body dysmorphia, triggers around it and how it is they came to accept their bodies despite the different obstacles, opinions and setbacks they’ve encountered along the way.  We want to hear you from! Share your feedback on Facebook, Instagram or via our email.  

We aren’t new year's resolution people, but it is still a tradition a lot of people hold dear to their journeys in life. We crafted 5 questions each that we ask each other about what it is we are hoping for in 2021. We share how we’ve come to understand forgiveness and why it is we choose love. 

We’ve survived 2020! While it's tempting to just run into the New year without looking back, Abile and Linky feel it is valuable to mine the lessons learnt from what Abile has coined, “the worst year of everyone’s life thus far."

The holiday season is a time that's meant to be one of celebration and festivities. For some however, that doesn't ring true. In our first Christmas episode, we discuss the various ways that the festive season isn't so picturesque and how to be okay with that.

When suffering with a mental illness, we often believe that we cannot exist outside of the labels and diagnosis. suffering from and living with a mental illness can be challenging especially with the debilitating effects that come with it. We have to however distinguish between who we are and the disease's effect on our identity.

On Sunflower Living, we love hearing and getting insight from different people- but, these insights are largely from women. On this episode, our first male guest shares his perspective on mental health and the societal expectations men face of not being able to openly share their emotions. As a medical student he offers a front row seat to the male experience and how he navigates the university space.

*Trigger Warning*Our guest on this episode shares calming coping techniques through practical mindfulness and how to focus on the present during an anxiety cycle. As a psychology major and having worked with a telephonic counseling organisation, she shares a perspective from her own experience and that she’s applied in helping others.

While rumination can lead to a plethora of finds and self discoveries, there's also a tendency to spiral into past actions that make us less than comfortable. Linky and Abile discuss their ruminative experiences and how to shut out the loud, negative voices that can escape in the process. 

Often in life we fail to set boundaries, and then drown under the expectations we've set and responses we've allowed. On our path to healing we need to start to get comfortable setting, communicating and sticking to our boundaries. 

***TRIGGER WARNING*** A fair warning to anyone who may be triggered by the topic of suicide: Please listen to a previous episode instead of this one.  September is Suicide Prevention Month. In this episode, Linky and Abile delve into the delicate subject of suicidal ideation, what it looks like, what it feels like and what a loved one can do to assist a person in crisis.  

In a special episode, Linky and Abi talk to Tanya Lamb Dewar, an educational psychologist who works with young people.Tanya shares about her own personal experiences with anxiety and sheds light on the tools that live inside every person to make the most out of their lives, despite the challenges that will come along the way.

Everyone’s Covid experience has been different. Being open to hearing how the pressures and stress of this season have affected a student’s life is shared in this episode. Londy speaks her truth and shares the adjustments she and her family have had to make.

In the midst of an episode, we often don't want to talk about it or talk to anyone. Abi opens up about her current depressive episode and gives us a front row seat to her experience. 

There’s a lot of debate around whether to take medication, which medication to take and which not to take.  But often there’s A LOT that they don’t tell you about the medication. 

Ever been told something that doesn't really help in your moment of terror? Well, so have we. Sometimes you can't just "get over it"!

Anxiety plays out differently for all of us. For some it's in the form of consistent worry, for others it's procrastinating, and for some it's flaking on a date with friends or struggling to pick up the phone. We share our experiences with anxieties big and small. 

Sometimes it's up to you to take a step towards healing and to speak up about needing help. Using your mental illness as a crutch is not healthy for you or those around you. It's ok to ask for help!

In this episode, Abi and Linky talk about triggers in day to day life that are both expected and unexpected. The ladies also share some "how-to's" related to triggers. 

Sometimes, there's too much information about how to manage your mental health. In this episode we share some of the tools that work for us. We would love to hear some of yours, so please share in the comments. 

Socialising with a mental illness can be difficult. How do you validate your feelings as being real, when those around you don't often understand?

Living with a mental illness can often feel overwhelming as it affects every aspect of your life. We delve into what it feels like to live with a mental illness and discuss some of the effects it has  had on our lives.