I lost myself until I found myself in the sea

Hey,

My name is Sarah Goldsborough, single mum of 3 daughters from whitley Bay.

I started my mental health, cold water therapy journey on the 6th February 2022.

My goal is 365 consecutive days, so until 6th Feb 2023.

Why did I start ?

I've suffered with anxiety & panic attacks for over a decade, while i was always able to manage it and live with it I know just how mentally exhausting and disabling living with a mental illness can be.

In January 2022 I lost my 2nd baby just 8 months after my first loss. My mental health dipped dramatically, I found myself in a very dark place. i was scared that i wouldnt make it through the year. My anxiety had sky rocketed, my panic attacks were back but worst than I had ever experienced to the point I wouldnt even go out the house. I had completely isolated myself from everyone and everything. I felt like i had nothing left to give, I had lost my identity, my confidence, my worth I was so exhausted and fearing waking up each day living in that cycle.

I was so desperate to survive and knew only I could save myself. I just didn't know how or if I was even strong enough at this point.

I needed something to shock my body and numb my mind.

I needed something that I could do daily for however long it took to get my mental health in a healthy place so I wasn't living in fight or flight.

Equally with that I was willing to make more changes to my life to break my cycle of being locked away in the house letting my anxiety ruin my life.

Jumping in the sea seemed like the only thing I'd never tried before haha I'm more of a hot bath kind of woman but I heard it was good for mental health like anxiety & depression.

I was desperate, I would of tried absolutely anything.

In order for change to take place you have got to be comfortable with being uncomfortable and step outside your comfort zone.

Allowing yourself to be vulnerable for a little a while, so change can take place.

so that's what I done.

I didn't care what I looked like doing it, it was me vz me

Cold water therapy saved my life in so many ways I can't even begin to explain.

What started as a 30 day challenge, I soon realised your mental health recovery doesn't come with an expiry date and its something you cannot rush.

Long story short as 2022 had gone on i was put through more trauma, more challenges, more losses and an overwhelming amount of life changing events which had devastating effects on one's mental health again and is why I'm still going, still showing up and fighting each day.

2022 was the year I lost everything but it was also the year of tremendous strength, resilience, courage, discipline and finding myself.

My full journey, daily posts/videos can be found on my facebook profile

https://www.facebook.com/sarah.l.goldie

I don't know if my storm is even over.I still don't know how I even got here but one thing I do know is I'm not the same woman I was when I entered the storm and for that I'm entirely grateful

Over the past few days I've been asked where I will be having my 365th dip and if they can come join me and celebrate with me in the water for it.

I will set up a little event on Facebook for it

I feel so grateful & overwhelmed people would even want to take time out their day to do that. I feel so blessed with the continued support & daily messages people have shown me during my mental health journey of 2022

Being in that water everyday has kept me mentally strong during my darkest battles, where I thought I was loosing my mind.

Mental health is the silent killer. It's something I personally suffer with and something

I feel incredibly passionate about to bring even more awareness too in the future, with mental health disorders continuing to be diagnosed at an alarming rate.

As well as fighting my own battles I've had to stay strong enough to support someone close to me with their addiction, pain, suffering and suicidal tendencies which has taken a tremendous toll on not just myself but my daughters also. Reflecting on this it has shown me there is a huge need for society to be more accepting to men's mental health. Highlighting that its just as important for men to speak about how they're feeling and get the support that they need.

If society had of been more accepting and support services had higher levels of funding this person's suffering could of possibly been improved alot sooner.

I recieve messages daily of people opening up and how my journey has inspired them in different ways and helping others to take action in their own life which makes this journey so much more special for me to know sharing my pain and my journey has quite possibly saved a life while I was simply trying to save my own.

Please don't give up during your darkest storm, you don't need to search for the light, remember, you are the light ✨️

Do you want to join me in making a difference?

I'm raising money in aid of MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS and every donation will help.

Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.