Pushing back against shame
I came across this initiative just two days ago from a friend sharing their page on Facebook. I saw this while caught in a shame spiral, or an 'emotional flashback' as I've learned about in the context of trauma and regression. A seed was planted in that moment - a thought that I needed to join this challenge and push back against the shame that wants so desperately for me to stay small, secretive, and out of sight.So this is me here saying that I too struggle with mental illness. I too am walking this path alongside the 20% of Canadians who will experience a mental illness each year.
I will undoubtedly have catastrophizing and shame-laden thoughts that I shouldn't have spontaneously committed myself to these 23 days of exercise, of fundraising, and of being exposed and out of the safe cocoon of my shame and freeze response that has kept me safe for so long. And that is exactly why I am doing 2000 pushups in these 23 days, because I need to push back against my shame, each and every day.
And in the days I feel my shame wash over me like a crashing wave of regrets, inadequacies and helplessness, I will remember that I am not alone, and I will do my pushups for the 20%, and for those that are struggling to see past the clouded veneer of their own shame to see that they are not alone, and that I am here with you, sitting in this shame, this confusion, this depression, this loneliness. I am here with you. We are not alone. And for today, I am pushing back against my shame, one push up at a time.
Supporting CMHA Nova Scotia - Halifax-Dartmouth
Through a presence in more than 330 communities across every province and one territory, CMHA provides advocacy, programs and resources that help to prevent mental health problems and illnesses, support recovery and resilience, and enable all Canadians to flourish and thrive.Présente dans plus de 330 communautés dans toutes les provinces et un territoire, l'ACSM offre des services de défense, des programmes et des ressources qui contribuent à prévenir les problèmes de santé mentale et les maladies mentales, à favoriser le rétablissement et la résilience, et à permettre à tous les Canadiens de s'épanouir et de prospérer.
My Push-Up Progress
Our Team Members
Les membres de notre équipe
Part of Team The Thirty Sevens
Congratulations Shaun. You are amazing. David