Self-esteem is the value we place on ourselves. It influences how we think, how we feel and how we relate to other people. It shapes our confidence, our relationships and the decisions we make every day.

Each November, Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month invites us to reflect on an uncomfortable truth: despite growing awareness, many men still find it incredibly difficult to talk about how they feel. As a psychotherapist in Crouch End, North London, I often meet men who describe feeling anxious, low, or disconnected — yet struggle to put those feelings into words. Society has long taught men to “keep calm and carry on”, but this silence can take a heavy toll on mental wellbei

shorter days, darker mornings, and long nights can leave us feeling sluggish, unmotivated, or inexplicably low. For some, this seasonal slump is more than a passing dip — it’s Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a recognised form of depression linked to changes in light exposure.