Three honest reflections from Jon Red on exhaustion, rest and making space for what matters.
Category Archives: mental health
Breaking
This time I’ve been stretched to my absolute limit. In April/May, I had the opportunity to take breaks whenever I needed despite the relentless workload and deadlines. This time, I’m on my final practical teaching experience, so I need to be prepared and present five days a week. Everything was looking okay in the run-up.Continue reading “Breaking”
When your body says slow down
Three honest reflections on rest, overload and making space for what matters.
Raw
Nothing left to give.Overstretched.Darkness.Pain. Dissociation.Collapse.Decompensation.One more day.One more light.
Slow progress still counts
Three reflections on progress, pressure and writing honestly.
Ghosts
This post deals with sensitive topics including trauma and suice. If you’re affected by these issues, seek professional help as soon as possible. There are people who want to help you, but healing needs time and appropriate guidance. As my body remembers and the fragments return piece by piece, life gets progressively harder. I stillContinue reading “Ghosts”
ER
None of the experience I describe below is advice. Despite the experience I describe, if you are experiencing mental health issues you should absolutely seek professional help that suits your needs. In an emergency, go to the ER, preferably with someone you trust who cares about you. Recently, I found myself in the Emergency RoomContinue reading “ER”
Recovering
The events described in this post took place in the lead-up to and during a recent mental health crisis. This is a reflection on that time – it is not intended as mental health advice. This post talks about trauma and suicidal ideation. If you are affected by these or similar issues, please seek professionalContinue reading “Recovering”
Rapid-Fire
This writing took place in the immediate lead-up to my recent mental health crisis. What I write is a window on my state of mind before, during and after a crisis – it is not intended as mental health advice. I was home alone, so I went to a bar for a sense of socialContinue reading “Rapid-Fire”
Turbulence
This writing took place in the lead-up to my recent mental health crisis. What I write is a window on my state of mind before, during and after a crisis – it is not intended as mental health advice. If you are experiencing mental health issues, please seek professional help as soon as possible. 18thContinue reading “Turbulence”
Running
17th February 2026 This writing took place in the lead-up to my recent mental health crisis. What I write is a window on my state of mind before, during and after a crisis – it is not intended as mental health advice. If you are experiencing mental health issues, please seek professional help as soonContinue reading “Running”
Update
This is just a quick update to say that things are slowly improving. I’m now receiving support from a few different services including daily home visits. Now that I have a lot of physical and mental function back, I need to catch up on imminent deadlines. I hope to provide more details about what’s beenContinue reading “Update”
