My grandmother doesn’t get mental health issues. I tell her I struggle, and she tells me it’s all in my head, and I say, “I know, Nanna, that’s the problem.” She tells me I should just get on with things like they did back in her day. She says I should look on the bright side. She says I’ll feel better tomorrow. I do what’s expected and nod, tell her that’s helped, ta very much. She tries to get out of her chair. “Give me a hand, wouldja? You have no idea. Being an old body is such a struggle.”
Emma Burnett is a recovering academic. She’s big into sports, cats, and being introverted. Twitter: @slashnburnett