AMJ Blog
I have been writing a blog for some time. I use it to share my experiences and views on mental health – I had a breakdown in 2014/15 and live with depression and anxiety – and work life balance. I am passionate about working on my wellbeing and helping others to achieve and maintain the right work life balance and wellbeing approaches for them. My blog – along with my Twitter feed – comes with one health warning – if you read it you may have to hear about some of my other passions – my family, golf, Liverpool FC, communications, the Boston Red Sox, politics and the West Wing.
![Quiet please, I’m an introvert.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1690009295475-Y2EQE3U31XWOPJTQIEDF/IMG_9247.jpeg)
Quiet please, I’m an introvert.
![Being an introvert in an extrovert world](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1681118947618-HASNVORQ32BBAC5V1HDY/IMG_6554.jpeg)
Being an introvert in an extrovert world
![2022: reflecting on my year and truly understanding my pain, grief and sadness.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1671272958677-JLZPH5792TJG35FD9ZPL/Screenshot+2022-12-17+at+10.17.15.png)
2022: reflecting on my year and truly understanding my pain, grief and sadness.
![Eight years since my world came crashing in around me](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1670495229647-1TEX45WATKV2L9R4WL6N/Screenshot+2022-12-08+at+10.26.13.png)
Eight years since my world came crashing in around me
![Feelings of rejection and being misunderstood cut very deep](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1645711717034-NLGB3TVQ8ZQN9VCUJCT8/Ben-in-front-garden-uniform.jpg)
Feelings of rejection and being misunderstood cut very deep
Eating disorders: missing the wood for the trees.
![Just because someone is smiling, doesn’t mean they are happy.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1668848046745-ZGPMNP7C1PHNGFD8QDTF/IMG_1580.jpeg)
Just because someone is smiling, doesn’t mean they are happy.
![My need for reassurance goes right back to when I didn’t have it](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1667736517250-P7XGO978AWP4S7CW02SH/40986F25-1D9F-4708-AFBB-E9C9A4B3004F.jpeg)
My need for reassurance goes right back to when I didn’t have it
![18 years since my Mary died: a loss I still feel every day.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1645711703135-YG9EY7QYU7SX1JPU03TU/Ben-and-Mary-2.jpg)
18 years since my Mary died: a loss I still feel every day.
![Four years free of alcohol has given me new freedom](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1645711868732-2FIHOKX0AKBWUXGYYSPT/IMG_9806-1.jpg)
Four years free of alcohol has given me new freedom
![The long goodbyes so many of us are saying](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1661265830798-193BYUS2YIZFB8ZAKRNY/Screenshot+2022-08-23+at+15.41.15.png)
The long goodbyes so many of us are saying
![Loneliness and isolation: the irony of the connected society](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1659613694724-XZ0XHF97AEF8L4RYTZWN/Screenshot+2022-08-04+at+12.47.49.png)
Loneliness and isolation: the irony of the connected society
Listening to your own needs isn’t being selfish - it’s essential.
![Honesty is the best policy - easier said than done](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1645711498670-DAQ9R2R3DL85ZKHULT07/image-asset.png)
Honesty is the best policy - easier said than done
![First year of my psychotherapist training: I've survived!](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1645711497655-NE42XSAE0QQ70HSNA8A2/image-asset.png)
First year of my psychotherapist training: I've survived!
![Training to become a psychotherapist: no pain, no gain](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62178cf19f3c6a6858677c02/1645711492858-2Y72HJ2IL0AV3LY7Q018/image-asset.png)