Today marks an important day in the calendar. It’s Time to Talk day. The national day to shine a light on the importance of open dialogue about our mental health. The theme of this year’s Time to Talk campaign is ‘the power of small’ – meaning a small conversation about mental health has the power to make a big difference.
With Covid affecting us all in some way or another, it’s more important than ever to have these important conversations. If we can take a positive from these dark times, it’s hopefully a willingness to share our version of how we’re feeling and a willingness to put our hands up when times are tough. And these conversations don’t need to be daunting, it’s about getting the ball rolling.
Don’t let the only question you ask be ‘how are you?’ We’ve become very good at automating this question and, in turn, the response. Be silly, be inquisitive, make the questions count. One that I love to ask, with adults and children alike, is the classic superpower question. If you could have one superpower, what would it be? Who doesn’t love to imagine the magic of possessing a superpower?
I thought it would be fun to see what the team at Magenta would make of this question. Here’s what some of the team had to say:
Craig:
If I had superpower it would be telepathy with all animals and the ability to communicate with them. Firstly, it would give me the opportunity to apologise on behalf of the human race for what we have done to a lot of their habitats across planet Earth. But to truly understand and listen to how they are feeling and what they are thinking would be incredible and, I suspect in some cases, quite heart-breaking. To listen to the real narrative as opposed to assumptions on nature programmes would also allow us to make positive changes to our planet. It would also give me the chance to speak to my garden tortoise (over 100-years old now!) and he can tell me which part of the garden he’s going to bury himself in each winter! Saves me a lot of digging and worry!
Cathy:
To not need to sleep – then I could get more done!
Greg:
I’d want the ability to teleport. Imagine being able to visit the other side of the world in the blink of an eye – not to mention saving the money and stress of air travel. I’d just have to make sure I didn’t get too lazy and start teleporting between rooms in my flat!
Jo:
My superpower would be immunity to coronavirus so I can see my friends and family again, hug the Magenta team, party with journalists, and high-five clients without anyone worrying about getting too close. My superpower wouldn’t end there, though. Anyone who comes into contact with me, via Zoom or in person, would be automatically protected from the big bad virus out there. It’s a giftable superpower, you see. One look at me and, boom, you’re immune. My superpower will bring us all together again.
Sabrina:
Mine would be to retain the holiday fresh feeling.
Shahlia:
I’d like the power to stretch time – is that even a superpower? But I would love to have more time to be able to fit in all the jobs at home, work stuff, spend time with my family, see my friends, exercise, go to concerts and the theatre, travel, learn new things, have more hobbies, do something to help my communities, give back, read more, complete Netflix. I could fill as much time as I could create!
And me? Is it cheating to say a little bit of each of the above?! Actually, if I had to choose one, it would have to be the ability to fly. There’s something so magical about watching a bird with its wings spread wide, soaring high in the sky. The unobstructed views and ability to travel to the most remote of places makes me very envious.
So, on this important day, we urge everyone to take the time to start one small conversation. Why not start a conversation with the next person you cross paths with and see what superpower they would like to possess? You might just start a small conversation that makes a big difference.
For more information on Time to Talk day please head over to the amazing Time to Change website.
