BETTER DAYS

WE ALL DESERVE BETTER DAYS.

Let's forget about watches for a while and discuss space and time. Every individual on planet earth has been allocated space and time in which we live and breathe in. Julian Michaels believes in deeper connections and is in this same train of thought that we feel that before the forging of meaningful human connections is possible, we need healthy minds. But we're no experts, for it could also be vice versa; deep intimate heartfelt connections create healthier minds.

Which brings us to this page dedicated to healthier minds, happy hearts and a hearty life.

It saddens us, from our research, to see that mental health is a bigger issue today. We could attribute it to financial market crashes, the pandemic, high global unemployment rates. But it could be a myriad of reasons that lead us down that rabbit hole.

When should I give up?

A psychological science project (You've gotta know when to fold them... , Gregory Miller and Carston Wrosch) suggests that excessive inflammation contributes to adverse medical outcomes, and in some contexts, quitting or giving up may actually boost well-being and good health. Here, we are referring to a particular situation or path which is hindering you from continuing your life in a positive manner, such as a career switch or toxic relationship.

What is truly troubling, however, is when people choose to give up on life. To give in. Losing all hope of ever seeing brighter days again. Basically, despair that results in self destruction. Most of us will never understand it, but with great empathy we can support one another.

How do I help someone who's feeling depressed / anxious / hopeless?

For those of us who are well, the tricky thing is the healthy do not need help, the sufferers do. Yet, it is observed that less than 16% of people in the United States sought treatment for their emotional issues, as revealed in The World Mental Health Surveys (WMHS), With a range of symptoms that may not be easy to detect, it becomes even more challenging to support someone whom we think needs help. And, the difficult part is not just reaching out to somebody who is constantly unhappy or seemingly depressed, but also reaching out to them persistently and patiently. While we have provided platforms below where we all can learn the fundamental things to say and do, we must try our best to point them to the professionals who are more efficiently than us to care for them.

I don't need help. Do I?

Sometimes we may wonder if it is necessary to voice our thoughts or to seek help. Does it label us as a mental sufferer? Does it make us look vulnerable? If you are not feeling well mentally or emotionally, we hope reading this gives you more optimism to do something to take better care of yourself. In fact, by reading this, you'd know that you are not alone. And if you further dive into the true short stories submitted to us below, you'd realise there are many in similar or worse predicaments as you. Do not give up or give in, is our gentle plea to you.

Quick note: Just so you know, our founder Yang has had experience working with Government organisations such as NCSS and Youth Alliance on awareness campaigns for mental health of issues and feels deeply about mental betterment.

Talk to someone
who knows
Quick links if you need help for yourself or somebody else

All Countries

Betterhelp - https://www.betterhelp.com/

Singapore

Silver Ribbon Singapore - https://www.silverribbonsingapore.com/

Mindline - https://www.mindline.sg/

United States

NAMI -https://www.nami.org/home

MHA - https://mhanational.org/

United Kingdom

Samaritans - https://www.samaritans.org/

Nightline Association - https://nightline.ac.uk/

SHARE YOUR STORY.

These are true stories we have gathered. When we received and read them, we were moved not just from reading about their sufferings, but also knowing that they trust us enough to pen and send their heart-wrenching experiences to us. We hope it encourages and inspires you too. Simply click on them to read the full story.

If you have something similar to share with us, or to simply get off your chest, please email it to us at Enquiries@julianmichaelswatches.com.

Please keep it to 200 words or fewer if you don't want us to edit and summarise for you.

Please note that we are just an arena for shared content and do not provide remedies, answers, or consultation for any issues. For professional help, please refer to the links above.

Story 2 by Anonymous, 26, male

In 2019, I was accused of rape by my ex-girlfriend. We never had sex as the relationship only lasted six months. In that time, I broke up with her because she kept asking me for money for branded stuff. I was working but I didn't have much. She called me all sorts of names and was soon with another guy.
Together they forged a letter of apology by me, saying I was sorry for raping her. The police investigated over several months and I was cleared of any charges. But it left me depressed and shocked how human beings could do that to one another. I was embarrassed and could feel my family's and friends' judgement and luckily my boss stood by me and I was not fired. I saw a therapist for help and today I may not have forgotten but i have forgiven her. I still feel the trauma then but am at peace with it.

Story 3 by Charleston, 46, male

For 15 years, I suffered from depression. I thought my father's lack of love for me was the reason. I still don't know if that were true today. Negative thoughts filled my mind all these years. Even when I got married and had two daughters, I still couldn't lead a normal life and had to be precribed pills for depression and my insomnia. I kept living my life, and out of the blue, one day, one year ago I became 'normal'. I could sleep normally, and have less negative feelings now. I guess you could say time heals.

Story 5 by Anonymous, 42, male

Hello, this is my story and it's not a positive one I'm afraid. I have a cushy job, a sports convertible car and expensive watches, and make more money than I need. But every night, I think about my past failures as a son and the disappointments of my parents. I was a young rascal who rebelled all the time. They are no longer around so I can't apologise to them. Not being a downer, just sharing.

Story 7 by Lena, 39, female

I'm Lena, and this is my story. I hope women who suffer the same plight can take comfort from this.
It was only one year into my marriage in 2010, when I found out my husband was cheating on me on his so called business trips. Being Indian, my family is very close knitted, and I was so embarrassed when all my relatives knew. They tried to comfort me but judged me for the inter-racial relationship. Their eyes said "I told you". My husband was Brit. He had a lot of trips to China which he claimed was for business, but I was suspicious and checked his email and saw with disgust all the naked photographs his girlfriend in Shanghai sent him. He sent his naked pictures back to her too.
But what hurt the most was the sweet words and romantic things he said to her. He never spoke like that to me. After we had a huge fight and he left the country quickly after our divorce. He was scared for his life because my brothers were confronting him. I quit my job and was depressed for a few years. Seeing atherapist helped me find my self worth again, and most of all, I learnt that nothing is really end of the world if you give it enough time.

Story 8 by Anonymous, 19, male

I'm gay and have been since I was fifteen. That was when I knew. I haven't come out to my parents yet, only to a few friends. My mind is breaking from not telling them, cos I feel so dishonest inside, like I'm lying to them. I lost a lot of weight just thinking about what to say. I will do it soon. I don't know if I'm suffering from mental issues, but thought I'd just share cos it is overwhelming for me at times.

Story 9 by John, 33, male

When people asked me how I was, I always said I was ok. Truth was, I was constantly unhappy, slightly unhappy but I didn't know why. Recently, a new colleague who was also a social worker in the fields of mental health spoke to me. All it took were a few simple questions and I began to understand myself. Social workers are not miracle workers, but the first step we can take for ourselves is to reach out to someone who genuine cares to listen.

Please note that we are a watch brand that believes in mental betterment and want to spread awareness of seeking help for mental conditions, no matter the level of severity, in these confusing times. We are in no way experts on this subject matter. All we have is heart and empathy and a genuine curiosity in how people are coping out there in this age of conflict, confusion and cynicism. Though from our perspective, we see light, hope and brighter days, we do not have answers. Instead, and more importantly, we can only urge that more questions be asked. How can we all recognise symptoms of mental illness? How can we help more? And especially, why don't we help more? Don't act out, act on it.

Talk to someone who knows Quick links if you need help for yourself or somebody else

Talk to someone
who knows
Quick links if you need help for yourself or somebody else