Ulcerative Colitis, Motherhood & Me

Welcome to the new series of Podcast episodes!

Happy New Year, here is my new podcast episode, which discusses the big plans for the year, the challenges and balancing the stress with the organising of what seems to be a hundred things at once!

Arranging meetings, home improvements, financial pressures and the effects on overall wellbeing have at times, affected that little negative voice in the back of my mind and how I intend to challenge that default setting.

**TIGGER WARNING** - Tonight's episode does discuss mental ill health, OCD, anxiety and maternal mental health - Listener discretion is advised.

Tonight wraps up 2021 for me, including my first experiences of being a podcaster and how it has changed my approach to social media.

I talk about the highs and lows of the year and the topics I have covered in the podcast during those times.  

I talk about how my mental and physical health has been challenged again this year, but how I have also faced it and moved past it.

Once again thank you to all of those who have taken the time to listen to be rabbiting on for hours on end! I couldn't have done this without you.

Here's to a positive outlook on next year! 

Peace and love 

UCM xxx

**Tonight's episode contains themes of anxiety, depression and ill health which may Trigger some listeners.  Listener discretion advised**

Tonight I share my experience of seeing one of my favourite bands, Rise Against live in Leeds - and also how a pair of country bumpkins like us navigated the HUGE city!

I also follow on from similar themes in recent episodes about stress and how it feeds the anxiety and how elements still affect my anxiety and why I think it is so deep-rooted.

I share my experience of a really relatable podcast from Joe Rogan and Jewel Kilcher and how I found some of the content to resonate with me.

I also share elements of my own experience of nature Vs nurture and how some words trigger painful memories of a mentally ill parent.

Some swear words used - listener discretion advised

**TW: Mental health, anxiety, stress and low self esteem content - listener discretion advised**

Tonight's episode follows on from the previous episode, where I talk about how stress impacts upon my overall mental wellbeing.

I talk about the mounting pressures I place on myself and how I worry over asking for help.  

I have recorded this episode in my current mood and I talk about it openly and honestly in it's raw form, in order to prove that even those who have recovered in many ways from mental ill health, how bad days and "blips" can still occur along the way.

I discuss the negative language that I often use about myself in these low moods and how I shouldn't.

I end with some positive notes from other people, which have both moved and humbled me and keep me fighting the fight to end stigma when it comes to talking about mental health and wellbeing.

Keep talking, be kind, be you.

UCM xxx

Today's episode talks about how I manage stressful things and recognising when things are starting to get too much, before they are too much!

Also please listen for a PODCAST ONLY EXCLUSIVE ANNOUNCEMENT!

This episode I talk about my struggles with parenthood and how current issues with my health may have affected my tolerance levels.

I also talk about how parenting changes and evolves and how I have adopted a lot of how my parents raised me, but also areas which have been discarded. I talk briefly about the breakdown in the relationship between me and my birth father and how I am reluctant for Little G to know him.

I also talk about the negative comments I STILL get for choosing to only have one child and how I will not consider having any more children.

Please note - this episode contains some swearing and discussions about women's health, contraception, gynae problems and postnatal depression - Listener discretion advised.

Good evening!

Tonight's episode I look at how the past couple of weeks have made me feel stressed and how stress can affect my anxiety.

Please note: Tonight's episode discusses anxiety, mental health, intrusive thoughts and stress - listener discretion advised.

I am not a trained therapist or counsellor - all areas discussed are from personal subjective experience.

Please seek the relevant support, if required.

Lots of love

UCM xxx

Apologies for my 3 week absence or so, life has been crazy busy lately!

This episode explains about the current situation with my time management (or lack thereof!) and trying to keep everything balanced, without anything challenging my mental wellbeing.

As always I go off on a tangent and if you're happy enough to hear me prattle on about my work life balance, knitting, creativity, my undying love for Tom DeLonge and toxic friendships (See, I told you it would be random!) please give it a listen

lots of love UCM xxx

In view of Mental Health Awareness Month, I wanted to talk about my experiences of being labelled as being over-sensitive and how it was used as an insult and how it made me feel like it was a weakness.

TRIGGER WARNING - contains content discussing mental illness and past trauma.

I explore the concept of an Empath and if there is such a thing as one.

I discuss the pros and cons of being an "emotion sponge" and how I feel it benefits my role in healthcare.

On tonight's episode, I have enlisted the help of one of my dear mummy friends Rachael, where we discuss openly and honestly about our experiences with Maternal Mental Health and how our experiences with negative comments and language affected our transition into parenthood.  

TRIGGER WARNING!  contains details of childbirth, birth trauma, maternal mental ill health, which may upset some listeners.

In addition to this, please note is an informal discussion and does not substitute medical advice. We are just two mums putting the world to rights about what we wished we knew.

This episode also highlights resources you may find helpful as well as some information such as the Birth Afterthoughts services which may be available in your local health Trust, where you can go through your notes with a member of the maternity services if it will be beneficial for you.

Due to the remote recording, there may be some audio issues in tonight's episode, so apologies in advance.

If you are interested in Rachael's services, please visit www.mamatotobirthing.co.uk, but she is also available on Facebook and Instagram.

Much love as always <3