I wanted to tell my story on here. Maybe no one will read it but it’s good to get it off my chest somewhere anyway I guess.

I’m 19m and for the past 2 years I’ve struggled intensely with anxiety. I won’t go into loads of details about it because it’s a long story and I’d be here forever but essentially since about this time last year I’ve struggled to leave the house, which has effected my family relationships and contact with my friends. I missed my family’s Christmas celebration, birthdays, special events and amazing nights out my friends have had which I never got to experience.

I live with my dad but that’s it. I speak to my friends on Xbox but not much in person because of my mental health. This has obviously lead me to a bit of a depressive state where I just feel completely lonely. It’s a weird feeling. You know there’s people who love you/care for you but then you also get the thoughts in your brain that if you died tomorrow, people wouldn’t really care. This is how I was feeling. Thankfully I never got to the point where I was really suicidal but there came a low point where I had thoughts of not wanting to wake up in the morning.

My family and friends started to notice I wasn’t well and tried to help me, I got therapy but it didn’t really stick. I essentially gave up on my life and just reclused in my room doing nothing with constant anxiety. Throughout all of this time I’ve been listening to happy hour for the majority of the hours of the day. It kept me going and helped massively with the loneliness as (although the boys aren’t in the room with me) listening to the pod makes me feel like I’m not alone in this world.

Now for the good part. About 3/4 months ago, after months of staying indoors with nothing working, I started to push through and leave the house. I went for walks and drives to get myself out more and without HH in my ears I don’t think I would’ve gone out. Also, important to mention, Jack’s openness to talk about his mental health has helped me as it makes me feel like I’m not the only one. Our problems might be different but hearing the host of a hugely successful podcast saying he struggles but pushes through gives me self belief that I can too.

I started taking medication just over a month ago and it’s starting to work I think. I went out with my friends for the first time and I’m overall feeling myself again. This self improvement has been at the fault of my own but it feels like this podcast has metaphorically given me a helping hand in lifting me through the darkness I was in.

Im not perfect yet and im not fully “back” but im making progress and things are looking up.

Again, thank you. Viva La Happy Hour 💛