In this episode, I’m joined by a very special guest, my sister, as we talk openly about her experience with severe depression and what “climbing out of the basement” has looked like for her.

We discuss the reality of living with depression, the courage it takes to keep asking for help, and how continuing to show up has allowed her to access support through free NHS services. This conversation is a reminder that even when progress feels slow, persistence matters, and support is there.

She also shares a deeply personal self-help approach that helped her through a particularly difficult season: creating an advent calendar of daily self-care activities to keep herself mentally and physically engaged during a time of year that can often bring pressure and anxiety.

This episode is about hope, small steps, and the power of staying involved in your own rescue, even when it feels impossible.

If you’re struggling, please remember you don’t have to do it alone. Reaching out for support can be the first step toward climbing out.

Helpful Tools From the Episode:

Samaritans (24/7 emotional support)
📞 Call 116 123 (free)
✉️ Email jo@samaritans.org
🌐 https://www.samaritans.org/

Thrive Edinburgh: iThrive | Edinburgh Mental Health and Wellbeing

A Year of Small Joys, PDF Self-care calendar:

A Year of Small Joys - Aana.In.The.Wild's Ko-fi Shop

Free 3 systems diagram:https://www.canva.com/design/DAG_7C8LyrY/yGrs0SKKou0xRwlL3KsWww/view?utm_content=DAG_7C8LyrY&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hdb1ff9f865

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Bookstack Diaries – Free 2026 Reading List & Workbook
https://soulandscissors.eo.page/rzcc5

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