About Finding Hoppiness | Mental Health Resources

Finding Myself

Mental health has always been close to my heart. Nearly everyone in my family has faced challenges with mental health, some more than others. I'm no exception to that. As a young child, I experienced trauma that left me in hospital and my family harrowed. I struggled deeply with anxiety and depression during my school years, and those struggles then lead me into a very toxic relationship in my early 20s. It wasn’t until that relationship ended and I met my bunny, Apollo, (yes, really!) that something clicked and I began to slowly see my worth through the fog. I started my journey to healing through counselling and a LOT of inner work!

But, sometimes we go backwards, and that's just part of the path. In early 2024, I found myself at a breaking point. I’d spent too long living out of alignment with my values, which left me burnt out, anxious, and having daily panic attacks. My body and mind were telling me something was deeply wrong within me and my life, so something simply had to change. I took a HUGE leap: I quit my job of 6 successful years to focus on recovering and rediscovering what truly makes me happy (I know not everyone is able to do something so big like quitting a job and I am unendingly lucky to have such a supportive environment and circumstances).

Freelancing is something I'd wanted to do for years before I took the leap. It has given me the flexibility to rebuild and find peace at my own pace. Along the way, I’ve reconnected with my love for helping others, which is where Finding Hoppiness was born!

Why I Created Finding Hoppiness

I first started this website back in 2018 as a space for rabbit owners to learn more about their new furry babies and help care for them better. I still post about all things bunny, and you can find our Bunny Blog here!

We’re all on a journey of healing and growth, forever learning and evolving. This new version of Finding Hoppiness is my way of sharing what I’ve learned and creating a safe space for others to explore mental wellness. While, historically, I've always found it very difficult to talk about my mental health, I do believe it is vital in taking those next steps toward mental wellness. Bottling everything up has never done me any good and Finding Hoppiness is partly like exposure therapy for me! I really hope that I can create a safe space and community where people feel empowered to talk about their own mental health, too. 🫶

I’m currently pursuing a Level 3 Counselling Skills Diploma. While this doesn’t qualify me as a counsellor, it’s given me valuable tools to guide this website. My goal is to provide helpful resources, share personal insights, and foster a sense of community for anyone who might be struggling.

Thanks for being here and joining me on this journey. Whether you’re here for mental health tips, lighthearted stories, or simply to find a little hoppiness, I’m so glad you’ve stopped by.

A Tale of Two Bunnies

So... what's with the bunnies?

Well, Finding Hoppiness is heavily inspired by my two house rabbits: Apollo and Athena.

Apollo wasn’t my first rabbit - that honour belongs to Snuffles, whom I cared for when I was just 8 years old. Snuffles may have passed on long ago, but the love we shared left a mark on my heart. Pets have a magical way of becoming family, don’t they? Their memory stays with us, always.

Fast forward 13 years to 2017. I was about to start my third year of university and was in a very toxic relationship. As a gift, my then-boyfriend got me Apollo. While the circumstances weren’t ideal, Apollo’s arrival was a blessing in disguise. He quickly became my best friend, filling my days with joy, companionship, and the cutest nose licks imaginable. (The boyfriend didn't last, but Apollo is still my main man!)

As Apollo grew, I let him free-roam my room. He’d nap on my chest or perch on the windowsill, watching the world while staying safe from the neighbour’s cats. He brought so much light to my life, especially during the challenges I was facing at the time.

After graduation, I had a dilemma: full-time work would leave Apollo lonely. Rabbits are social creatures, so I decided he desperately needed a companion. Enter Athena, a sweet but nervous bunny I adopted from South Coast Rabbit Rescue. Bonding them took time and patience, but they’re inseparable now - and I’ve happily accepted my demotion in their pecking order!

Seven years with Apollo and six with Athena (plus living with our family dog, Buzz) have taught me so much about unconditional love and embracing life to its fullest.