Life Update and Mental Health Chat

[@sheilagagliano454]

I'm familiar with BPD so I appreciate you're sharing. Hope your holiday is great :)

[@SophieIslington]

Thank you x

[@alekwithlove]

Thank you for filming this again. I hope you have an amazing time in Turkey.

[@SophieIslington]

My pleasure, I'm glad that you liked it :)

[@ro9402]

I really appreciate your openness. I think vulnerability is the equalizer amongst people, signaling our shared humanity. Regarding mental health: I plan to start therapy in the coming months, largely for anxiety. Thank you for being such a pleasant person. Be well and good to yourself. Also--enjoy Turkey!

[@SophieIslington]

That's great news, good luck with the therapy!

[@ro9402]

Thank you!

[@literarydiversions]

I really do treasure these mental health updates from you (and other Booktubers) who are brave enough to talk about where you’re at and how they’re working through the maze. Thank you for taking the time to refilm; I hope Turkey is amazing, and I’m really pleased that you’re feeling positive right now. Long may it continue. X

[@SophieIslington]

It's good to hear that, sometimes I think I am being a bit boring but I know that most of the time people don't respond to the videos in that way. I think Turkey is going to be so good for me! xx

[@seanandhelen]

I’ve took myself travelling across America by myself before and another 3 times after that back to the USA solo. There is nothing wrong with holidaying solo and is very empowering. Have a great time. It sounds like you have a lot going on at the moment. Well done on doing so well. X

[@SophieIslington]

Wow that sounds amazing, I'd love to be able to do a longer term thing but that's not where I am at the moment. I think it's going to be so lovely for me to have that time.

[@seanandhelen]

Portal in the Pages you will have a lovely time. Being able to spend time with yourself and navigate through new places independently is an important life skill. Not to mention you learn a lot about yourself when your travelling alone. I’m not sure I could do it now as me and my husband are joined at the hip and I wouldn’t want to go anywhere without him. Your doing it at the right time before your settled.

[@neilhutchinson6645]

Well done for recording this. I would never have guessed which underlines the importance of not judging a book by its cover. If you don't have your health you have very little. Have a great break, have fun, enjoy the books and hopefully see you soon!

[@SophieIslington]

Thank you! I've done some pre-filming before I go so it should be like I haven't left!

[@neilhutchinson6645]

Portal in the Pages Yes! I watched your latest vid late last night. A veritable travelogue of books lined up! Hope you get through them all Sophie!

[@neilhutchinson6645]

Portal in the Pages Yes! I watched your latest vid late last night. A veritable travelogue of books lined up! Hope you get through them all Sophie!

[@sarahweinstein3263]

You are brave to share your story with us. Thank you.

[@SophieIslington]

xx

[@thedoodlebakery]

Thanks for re-doing the video, Sophie. These videos always feel so personal and it allows us to get to know you a bit better outside of BookTube. I totally understand needing to check and finding your footing in the present. I am going through a bit of something like that with the recent life changes I'm experiencing. Like you, I've been reading like crazy but I'm finding it difficult to finish things right now. The books allow me some escapism which is nice. No need to apologize for not doing videos. Whenever they get posted, we will be here. It's great that Tom is there to offer support. Turkey sounds like so much fun, and I hope you have a fantastic time!

[@SophieIslington]

Thank you Paula, I like filming these too but it's not the sort of thing that I end up chatting about often. Turkey should be fabulous :)

[@SavidgeReads]

I always love chats from my favourite channels. I find your honesty and how you choose to share thinks with us really admirable. Sounds like we’ve got some lovely videos ahead. Have a fab bit of time off. Turkey will be incredible. I feel the same way about mid year. I worked out that the middle of the year is July 2nd, yup, I’m that guy. Glad things are so positive at the moment. That’s wonderful, long may it last.

[@SophieIslington]

Thanks Simon, I think Turkey is going to be so good for me to really reset and have some time for myself without loads of jobs getting in the way. Ahaha, I'll be looking out for a video on the 2nd then ;)

[@KittyAndTheBooks]

I like it when you do these kinds of videos. It feels just very personal but it's also great to put your other videos in perspective. I am so glad that you're at a good point right now, apart from the stress. I am moving to a new city next week and so I am pretty stressed out myself. But your videos always calm me, and I feel a lot better after watching them. Now I have new energy to pack stuff in boxes. :D Oh, and I love Turkey. Can't wait to see some glimpses of your holiday!

[@SophieIslington]

Thank you, I always think I should do more of these over time or vlogs as I do like filming both. I hope that your move goes really well and that the stress is over for you soon. :)

[@alnsubuga]

Enjoy your break! Glad you're getting lots of support and love from those around you. I used to take myself away for solo city breaks regularly as part of my self-care, but have fallen out of the habit.

[@SophieIslington]

Thank you! I really like having little periods on my own and am hoping that I love it :)

[@TheNovelSanctuary]

So excited for you about the vacation! Hopefully you have an amazing time!

[@SophieIslington]

Ahh! Me too. I fly in 4 days now :)

[@leslieh881]

Nothing better than escaping into a book. Sorry for your struggles and happy you’re working on your life. Breathe deeply in Turkey and enjoy.

[@SophieIslington]

Thank you :)

[@siljeblomst1]

This was such a nice video, Sophie. Enjoy your holiday! I'm very fond of travelling by myself, it's so relaxing. Have a lovely weekend 💖

[@SophieIslington]

Thank you, I really think it's going to be good for me.

[@thebritishbookworm]

Gosh the thought of a solo reading holiday sounds absolutely bliss! Have the best time! Also, thank you so much for being so open about your mental health. It’s so so helpful. Really glad to hear you’re doing well.

[@SophieIslington]

Haha, I'm so looking forward to it xxx

[@dhurd4099]

Thank you for refilming. I hope you have a great time in Turkey, it sounds heavenly. Thanks also for sharing your very personal message of mental health and therapy. This is something that needs to be talked about and brought into more conversations. Thank you for doing that ❤️

[@SophieIslington]

I thin Turkey is going to be great for me to make myself have a little time for myself. My pleasure xx

[@danii6633]

Loved this chatty life and book update video. Wouldn't mind if you did more of these, it's quite enjoyable. And I'm really pleased to hear you're in a good place right now - the hard work on therapy notwithstanding. Your honesty/openness is much appreciated. I think you're really strong to (want to) do this time and again. Know that it's much appreciated. Have a great holiday and looking forward to the new videos whenever :-))

[@SophieIslington]

I do like doing them but I try hard to make sure I don't only talk about this sort of thing here too. Thank you! I'm really looking forward to it :)

[@booksbyleynes]

Thank you so much for being so open on the internet, Sophie! :) I hope that you'll have an amazing time-off in Turkey, you truly deserve it. I'm so happy to hear that things are a lot more positive for you lately, my fingers are crossed that the good times will last.

[@SophieIslington]

Thank you so much, lots of love :)

[@ambermayer7851]

I know this video deserves a more serious comment, but I've got to say I love that you're doing your midyear wrap-up at the end of June. Every time I've seen a midyear video this month I've thought 'but midyear is a month away yet'.

[@SophieIslington]

Haha, thank you! It's a little thing but it sort of bugs me!

[@jilll1287]

Thanks for posting! First you look wonderful - love that color in you and the lipstick. My son has a chronic mental health condition to which he has undergone behavioral therapy. It was rough, but it really helped! So wonderful that Tom is so understanding and can’t wait to hear about Turkey!

[@SophieIslington]

Thank you :) I've been sitting in the sun a little bit recently, a rarity for me! I'm really glad that your son found value in the therapy he did, that's great.

[@homolibrariensis8132]

Always great to get an update. So glad you're doing well - wow, I relate so much to the therapy aspect. I did an intensive therapy program a few years ago and it was the most valuable but most emotionally taxing thing I have ever done. A vacation in Turkey sounds fantastic and needed. Enjoy the rest.

[@SophieIslington]

Yes, I always think that the harder you find a therapy, the better work it is doing for you. Thank you, I think it'll be really good for me.

[@gracetaylor7351]

Hope you have a wonderful holiday in turkey !! Sounds good!! Glad you talked about mental Heath I have mild depression I have people around when things get hard !! Just need to chill and relax don't worry all the time.

[@SophieIslington]

Thank you, I think it's going to be so good for me. :)

[@tammikma]

Dear Sophie, thank you very much for this video and for sharing so much over the years! (we wrote on Goodreads quite a while back, when I was going to hospital) I'm not good at commenting regularly but I just wanted to tell you thanks and that I am so very happy for you and also proud for you for how well you are working for yourself and taking care of yourself! Are you doing DBT? I might do DBT at some point but not at the moment. I wish you a wonderful trip! Maria

[@SophieIslington]

I do remember talking, yes, how are you feeling at the moment? DBT is very difficult but it has a great payoff. Definitely wait until you are ready but it might help you a good deal :)

[@wordswordseverywhere9113]

It's great that you are talking so openly about mental health :) I hope the therapy continues to be helpful for you. Just one quibble with what you said: some forms of depression are life-long/recurring conditions ;) Have a lovely holiday, Sophie!

[@SophieIslington]

Thank you, yes, I meant more about the differences between personality disorders and mood disorders but find it really hard to explain! It's like there is a way that the brain of those with personality disorders makes people think and act differently throughout their life in all ways whereas for people with mood disorders typically the main difference is the emotional state, but otherwise the brain functions in ways it would do otherwise.

[@nisoZ]

Turkey is gorgeous and the people there are so kind. You'd love it!

[@SophieIslington]

I'm really really looking forward to it :)

[@r.m5883]

Omg!!! Dalaman!!! I have been to Fethiye twice, and I love it. If you have any questions about Turkey message me, I am very close with a family in Fethiye and they are very friendly. So many British families. 😘😘😘 take care!

[@SophieIslington]

Awesome! I am really really looking forward to it and have heard so many positive things.

[@paulelliott3220]

Very interesting and hope that the treatment course is helpful, and Tom sounds like a stable influence Always great when you have that support My hay fever is off the charts too ... hope you find an antihistamine that works better than mine do Cool channel Enjoy Turkey - very interesting time there with the election and a fascinating country

[@SophieIslington]

Tom is very helpful, even if not always stable haha. Only 4 days to go now!

[@Robbieleecats]

It sounds like you’re doing well! I know therapy can be hard, but if you do it and practice the things you learn, then it helps. It is very hard to put those things into practice sometimes though, isn’t it? Enjoy your holiday!

[@SophieIslington]

It does really help. Thank you!

[@SixMinutesForMe]

Take care and have a fabulous holiday! I always love how considered your thoughts on books are so I look forward to all of these videos! 😊

[@SophieIslington]

Thank you, I think it's going to be such a good thing for me to escape for a while.

[@emmarobertson9575]

Have a great break shame Tom can't go with you but beautiful weather and a good book you can't go wrong xx

[@SophieIslington]

It is but one day we'll be able to go away together I'm sure. I am really glad I have the chance to do a bit more solo travelling though, I think it's important for me.

[@alixpage7262]

Hope you have the best holiday! I would love to take myself away one day! 😄

[@SophieIslington]

Thank you! It is a really cool experience :)

[@karenkoutsoumbaris6308]

Sofia enjoy your holiday I have lots going on, mother lives with me and is 97 some dementia I pray for patience daily. Wish you were going to Greece 🇬🇷 my husband comes from a small island in the Aegean Sea 🌊 ♥️♥️

[@SophieIslington]

Hope your mother is well and wow, 97! I thought about Greece, that was one of my other choices that I very nearly went for.

[@youtubegunlugum]

I hope you have a lovely holiday in Dalaman☺️🏖️ You can ask me anything about Turkey if you want 😇🎈

[@SophieIslington]

Thank you! I'm so looking forward to going :)

[@DeliciousReads]

Thank you for sharing this. I have anxiety/depression, I was wondering how your symptoms affect you on a day to day basis, like how do you find working/holding down a job? I haven't been able to work for a while/ leave jobs due to my symptoms. Is your current therapy CBT? Hope you're doing ok today :) xx

[@SophieIslington]

Mine is very difficult to describe really. It's an intensity of emotion (of all kinds) which is a bit like bipolar, the inability to form stable relationships (which often means people are very isolated and sometimes tend towards abusive relationships) and, for me, a tendancy to harmful behaviours or attempts on my life. It ranges between me being a high functioning, perfectly well seeming person to periods on the ward. At the moment I can work and can function pretty well but I'm always balancing my symptoms in secret whilst doing that.