The Art Of Being Homeless

While I have never slept on the streets I have come dangerously close a few times, we'll come to the whys at a later date for now this is a guide on how to get by as smoothly as possible

1. Assess your situation.
Is this just a row where you need to lay low for a few hours?
Will this blow over by the morning?
Do you need to get out of dodge asap?
If you just need to lay low for a few hours don't panic, everything will be alright, go for a walk and calm down
If you need to get away for any length of time read on ...
2. Find somewhere, ANYWHERE to sleep
So you do need to get out for at least one night, swallow your pride and ring someone, anyone.
There will (hopefully) be at least one person who will put you up.
The scale and scope of the argument will determine if you should ring friends or family first.
It pays to stay in touch with your extended family, aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins etc, they will be slightly removed from the cause of your problems but know you well enough to know you won't be stealing the telly while they sleep.
Family should put you up, friends will
Protip: If you have to ring around a few people until you find someone, next time this happens (there is always a next time) Ring them first
3. Packing.
Work this out on how long you think you are going to be away against how fast you need to get out.
When I left the ex I took a rucksack with work clothes for the next day, pants and socks (Never forget clean  underwear) I never went back but needed to go there and then (more on this at a later date)
When I was "asked" to leave mothers for the second time I took two bin bags full of clothes AND my box of cd's (she was out at the time)
4. Don't Out Stay Your Welcome.
So you have followed all of the above and are now crashing at a mates house.
They aren't looking for a lodger so don't assume you are in the clear, don't get comfortable.
It might be all laughs and beer drinking to start but they are going to want their own space back soon enough, even if its because your mother is putting pressure on them to get you out.
5. Ask For Help.
No matter what you have or haven't done, you're not alone.
Someone out there loves you and doesn't care what's gone on, all they want is for you to be alright.
You might not know it but they are there for you, swallow your pride and reach out.
Even though we hadn't seen each other for months, hardly talked and he lived 60+ miles away my Dad sent me a key for his house and told me I was welcome anytime.
This was the first clue my dad wasn't the asshole I was always lead to believe.
I worked with a lad at the factory who split up with his girlfriend and ended up living in his car in a forest for two weeks before he broke down at work and admitted to anyone what had gone on.
We banded together and sorted him out with somewhere to stay.
People will help you, don't be too proud to ask
If you feel that you can't speak to your friends or family please don't suffer alone you can contact the Samaritans on their website www.samaritans.org/ or phone them 24/7 on 08457 909090 in the UK or 1850 609090 from ROI
Shelter are a charity that helps people who are homeless or are about to be, you can contact them at their website http://england.shelter.org.uk/ or freephone 0808 800444

This Is The End ...

Well hello there, its been a while hasn't it?

This blog ran over the summer of 2012 as I went through a period of bad mental health and finally let go of all the things I had held in and held back over the years.

It helped me greatly and I would once again like to thank everyone who read my ramblings and messaged me on the various social media networks.

I am (stupidly) trying to publish these tales of despair, misery and the occasional bout of laughter, love and fun as a book.

It is already available on amazon here Stories I Shouldn't Tell
The version found there at the moment is currently being proof read and will soon be updated.
The words will still be mine but the punctuation and formatting will make it far more enjoyable.

I am also looking into maybe doing small run of paperbacks (once it is all ship shape)

Thanks again

JJ