The most inspiring achievements often emerge from the darkest of places and for Annette Kelly, founder of Little Penny Thoughts, her battle with anxiety was the catalyst behind the business. Almost three years later, she has over 250,000 followers and is preparing for her first event: Wellness from Within.

“I am preparing to launch my campaign Wellness from Within. The first event is in the Carton House Hotel on 22 April. It’s going to be an action-packed day filled with inspiring people,” says Annette.

“Wellness from Within is a very organic slogan because I believe you can only become well from within. No amount of money in your bank account can give you wellness, it comes from the three pillars of wellbeing which are nutrition, mindset and fitness. The key is striking that balance, being active, eating your greens but enjoying your chocolate bar.”

Little Penny Thoughts launched as a business earlier this year and is in the early stages of a start-up.

“I plan to deliver wellbeing educational programmes across Northern Ireland and the Republic. I am a primary school teacher and I really enjoy it, but I have found my passion, which is campaigning for better mental health services across Ireland,” says Annette.

Humble Beginnings

Little Penny Thoughts materialised within Annette’s bedroom in Carrickmore, Co Tyrone. She confided in her sister Orla, who is the graphic designer for the business, and in September 2015, the Facebook page was launched.

“I wanted to start a Facebook page sharing quotes and remain anonymous. I told Orla, who was probably thinking: ‘Here she goes again, Annette on one of her out-there ideas.’ I was always alternative in terms of going against the grain,” says Annette.

“The idea was to create little pockets of positivity. I was getting a boost out of quotes in my personal life so I thought it might help someone else who was suffering with anxiety. Little Penny Thoughts is a dolly mixture of quotes, no two days are the same. Bob Marley one day, Pope Francis the next day. Two different men but with the same vision of good vibes.”

Annette also scribes her own quotes and as Little Penny Thoughts gathered momentum, her identity was revealed, but the truth of where Little Penny Thoughts came from was only publicised recently.

“I am campaigning for mental health so it was important to share my journey. Little Penny Thoughts didn’t come from rainbows and butterflies, a beautiful thing was born out of darkness,” says Annette.

“I had anxiety that fed into depression. I was very lucky that I had a loving family, friendship circle and a wonderful GP who got me into cognitive behaviour therapy, which was the key to recovery.”

No one gets through life without struggles and Annette stresses that that’s okay.

“It is okay not to be okay, but it is also okay not to be okay for no particular reason because I would have felt guilty for feeling low because I had great friends, family and job. I thought there was something wrong with me but there wasn’t, it is mental health and the issue is gripping the country,” says Annette.

“People are on their knees and we need to raise awareness of the support services available because vulnerable people are slipping through the net. Life will throw problems at you but you have to build resilience and create coping skills. That is what I have been doing the past two years and Little Penny Thoughts has helped me in my recovery.”

When we wake up in the morning the only thing we can be certain of is greeting ourselves.

“You wake up and the first person you meet is your own thoughts, which is why we have to challenge our thoughts. You have to talk kindly to yourself,” says Annette.

“It is hard to look in the mirror and say ‘I look nice today’, but we have to in order to create a sense of confidence. We have 20,000-70,000 thoughts per day and thoughts become things. One good thought in the morning can change your day, which is why I post a quote in the morning. I kick start the day the Little Penny way.”

Social Media

Social media is the tool of the digital influencer, but Annette is not in that category.

“I’m not an influencer or a blogger, I am a mental health campaigner. I try to use my platform in a positive way. Social media is a great platform for me but I know that it is one of the leading causes of depression and anxiety because we play the comparison game,” says Annette.

“One of my favourite quotes is: ‘Comparison is the thief of joy.’ The less you know about other people’s lives the better, but social media doesn’t lend to that. I do enjoy the social media experience, however, would it have led to my anxiety? Absolutely, but in a strange way it is now helping me on my journey.”

Annette is using her platform to help break stigmas.

“We are coming on leaps and bounds in breaking stigma but people still don’t talk about their feelings, especially young men,” says Annette.

“The statement ‘man up’, I don’t like it. Man up to what? I want men to know that it is okay to talk about your feelings.”

Michaela Foundation

Annette has collaborated with the Michaela Foundation, which is set up in memory of the late Michaela McAreavey.

“Michaela was a close family friend and I wanted to raise money for the foundation as I am an active volunteer,” says Annette. “I asked over 300 people for their favourite quotes and I put it to their date of birth. Orla did the graphics and we compiled Little Penny’s Book of Thoughts. It was launched on 5 December 2015.”

The Michaela Foundation focuses on Irish, faith, fun, wellbeing and fashion, and the summer camp is a central part of the organisation.

“I am involved in the girl’s summer camp and the wellbeing programme. I see the need for young girls to build confidence and to instill self-belief,” says Annette.

Hero

Little Penny Thoughts reached two million people in one week on Facebook and the continuing success proves that Annette’s presence is needed.

“There is a thirst for help, people are clinging to certain things to help them through the day,” says Annette.

“If you had said to me two years ago that I would be able to help another person I wouldn’t have agreed because I wasn’t in that place. Now I have more clarity and strength. You have to become your own hero in order to help yourself and others.”

Everyday Annette receives an overwhelming volume of messages in relation to how Little Penny Thoughts has helped others, giving her more bite.

“It makes me hungrier to fight for better mental health services in Ireland for every one of every age, gender and culture,” says Annette.

“We all have a role to play. It has to be a nationwide campaign to get better mental health services across North and South of the border.” CL

www.Facebook.com/Littlepennythoughts/