Talking to someone in a safe space can help you figure out what you’re feeling. It’s a release that helps ease the burden of keeping whatever it is that’s bothering you a secret. By talking to someone and sharing your experience, you’re also forming closer connections with your friends, family, and the people you trust.
If you’re nervous about talking to someone about your feelings, try practising what you will say and how you will say it. Choosing a location that makes you feel relaxed and uninterrupted will also help you remain calm and overcome some of the fears you might have about sharing your feelings.
A lot of people struggle with this part. It can be overwhelming especially if you’re not sure how to describe what you’re feeling – or if the person you’re talking to understands. Sometimes it helps acknowledging that you don’t know what to say and that it is hard for you to talk about what you’re going through.
"I don’t really know how to say this and I find it really difficult to talk about what I’m feeling."
"This isn’t easy for me to talk about…I will do my best to explain."
Decide what you want to share and try giving examples of what you’re experiencing;
“I used to really look forward to footy training – but when it rolls around each Tuesday night, I just don’t care anymore.”
“I enjoy hanging out with you, but when it comes to catching up, I get so overwhelmed that I don’t want to leave the house. And so, I cancel.”
Be gentle with yourself and take as much time as you need. Share your thoughts and feelings in a way that is comfortable for you.
If you are seeing a GP for the first time and know that you may feel daunted by the experience, a useful tip is to write down how you're feeling ahead of time. Here's a quote from one of our Forum members:
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