Today I'm sharing a candid episode about lifelong experiences with bullying and trolls, the toll on mental health, and the importance of reaching out for support.
I will then recount a chaotic business day after testing positive for COVID - making a dream wedding, dealing with a lost driver, a blocked forecourt, a carriage of ruined vases caused by a fallen cheese plant - and the long, exhausting clean-up that followed.
A short, honest look at the unseen struggles of running a small florist business, the resilience it builds, and the reminder that help and compassion are available.
As with the previous episode I have also deleted the script and notes for this episode; I guess you'll just have to listen to the show. You can do this whereever you listen to your podcasts! Alternatively you may click the photograph to be taken through to where the show is hosted; you can listen to it there.
I'm not sure if you're aware, this podcast in Malarkey, it doesn't come for free. It actually costs real money and a lot more than I ever thought it would do. That's why I'm reaching out to you, dear listener. If you would like to support me along the way, you'd be very, very welcome to buy me a virtual coffee. This can be done by visiting https://buymeacoffee.com/farehamfloristpod Alternatively you may visit Ko-fi, if prefer their brand of coffee you can visit https://ko-fi.com/farehamfloristpod. Every single penny will help to cover equipment and the hosting costs, which are extortionate. You'd be helping me keep this little dream afloat without actually bankrupting myself. Anyway, enough of all that.
If you have enjoyed this episode and I really hope that you have, please feel free to share, subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcast. This can make a really huge difference and helps others to find us. I appreciate all feedback, good and bad, but if leaving negative feedback, please keep it constructive and be kind. I'm a florist after all.
We live, very sadly, in a world where bullies and trolls can intrude far too easily into our daily lives. What was once confined to the classroom or the workplace can now reach much further, stretching its evil tentacles into our homes and personal spaces through screens and devices. I have personally experienced bullying in one form or another throughout the whole of my life, so I understand how deeply it can affect someone. I also realised that when I decided to create this podcast, I was inevitably opening myself up to the trolls and bullies as well. Thankfully, I am now in a place where their words and actions no longer have any power over me. They roll off like raindrops from a leaf. In many ways, that resilience has been essential, as putting myself out there has brought more than a few people crawling out from the shadows and from under their bridges. Some bullies can appear in our lives disguised as friends. They can strike at any point, affecting children and adults alike. They, the bullies, are weak individuals craving attention. If anything really, we should be pitying them. Imagine how empty their life has got to be for them to get their entertainment by abusing someone. Reaching this point in my life did not happen overnight. It took time, support and a great deal of therapy. Bullying affected my physical health, but my mental health more, in so many ways. It is important I say this to you clearly.
Not all bullying is physical. In fact, most of it is psychological, and the impact can be profound. I have struggled with my mental health because of the bullying I was subjected to. I am incredibly grateful that I reached out for help when I did, because honestly, I don't know if I would even be here right now had I not. Know that you are worthy, that you are important, that you are loved. Anybody who makes you feel as though you are not i a person who does not deserve space or time in your life. If you are struggling, please know that you are not alone. There is support available out there. There are people who will listen without judgement, people who can help you find your way forward. Even on the darkest of days, light can still be found. If you need support, reach out. You can call the Samaritans on 116 123. The call will be free, confidential, and someone is available 24-7. If you don't like to speak, you can text SHOUT. That's S-H-O-U-T. Their number is 85258. Again, the messaging will be free and they have a 24-7 support line. If you are experiencing bullying, there is the National Bullying Helpline. This call again will be free and you can reach them on 0300 323 0169. I know that reaching out can feel hard, terrifying and useless. I get that. I felt that way too. But help really is there and I am proof that it can make the biggest difference. Take care of yourself and stay safe.
You can also find us and share with everyone on the usual social media sites. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Blue Sky and any others which may pop up in between. Just look for Fareham Florist Pod.. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have regarding any of the tales and or experiences that I've shared, or to do with just being a general working florist. You can reach me via email. The address is farehamfloristpod@duck.com
Are you a florist with your own stories, your own experiences that you would like me to share for you? If you are, I would love to hear from you. You can reach me via email. The address is farehamfloristpod@duck.com or drop me a WhatsApp on 073 671 87685. Let me know if you would like me to keep you anonymous. If you would like me to give your business a mention, whether you run a florist, butcher, baker, or even a candlestick maker, I'm more than happy to do so, providing your business is registered and trading legally. As a thank you for putting your details out there and hopefully generating some new business for you, it would be appreciated if you would be kind enough to make a donation to one of our nominated charities. These can be found on the webpage www.Fareham Florist Pod.co.uk.
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