On Wednesday night Georgina called me with the saddest news: the death of Liam Payne from 1Direction. Georgina has been a fan from 2011 and beyond their hiatus in 2016.
Five young men of similar age to her, she met them in March 2011 and again in March 2012.
We followed their journey to stardom and their solo careers.
In the 13 years you felt like you knew them, their struggles with fame, family sadness, relationships: their lives in a fishbowl.
Only they know the pressures that they were/are under, to perform, to live up to their own and everyone else’s expectations: finding love, security and peace.
Thinking about this the struggles are the same for most people, without the scrutiny…… but with social media those pressures are there for those that like; follow; comment.
There has been so much written about Liam’s last few hours, days, months. There will be elements of truth, misinformation, and lies, but at the heart of this was a father, son, brother, uncle, friend whose loss will be felt immeasurably.
Life for some can be overwhelming with both internal and external pressures. Today it is easier and varied to numb this. We are told regularly that mental health is a priority, and that we need to communicate how we feel, it is not weakness, seek help.
Too often help is not immediately available, and once we begin that journey from darker places it can feel insurmountable and so easily give up.
We need to keep talking, seek help, there is hope, resilience, that overcome life’s trials. There is joy, quite often in the simplest of things: a smile, a hug, a walk, comfort of a pet, the sea, nature all around us.
We all deserve to be listened to, find peace in our lives. We need something to change as there are, no doubt, so many who continue to struggle, less high profile, but just as worthy of help and a happier ending.
RIP Liam, you will be sadly missed.
My little life 