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World Mental Health Day 🌍 👏 is important to me because I have struggled with depression & bipolar since I was a kid. I used to blame people for misjudging me, even though I was scared to let anyone know what was going on. The only thing worse than suffering is suffering alone. I finally accepted help 4 years ago, and I am sharing my story because I don’t want anyone to suffer alone. To seek help is to treat ourselves the way we want others to treat us: with love, support, and compassion.
While I would not wish depression upon anyone, I want to celebrate what it has taught me:
1. Compassion towards myself and others. I learned to never judge, because there is so much behind-the-scenes in people’s lives we don’t know about. In being judged, I learned to never judge. Just because we cannot see someone’s suffering does not mean it is not there.
2. Vulnerability. I can be a “strong independent woman” and ask for help. Authenticity is more fulfilling than perfection. The more comfortable I became with my depression, the more comfortable I became with my quirks and my goofiness. It’s different sides of the same coin of self-acceptance.
3. Standing up for myself. It is my responsibility to communicate if I want others understand me. But, I cannot blame myself if they cannot or do not want to understand me.
4. Self-awareness and self-care. I learned to listen to my body and give myself what I need for mental stability. I learned to be curious about myself, rather than convincing myself that I am or should be a certain way.
5. Gratitude. When we’ve suffered through difficult times, we appreciate the good times that much more. I am grateful for the support network I’ve built, the health resources I have access to, and all the times I get to smile.
6. Unconditional Love from those who hold & carry us through our difficult times and are there when we need them. In receiving unconditional love from others, I learned how to give it. We can all do that for someone else.
7. Bravery. Mental illness forced me to develop courage and resilience, and those skills have helped me go after the things I want in life. Dealing with mental illness is incredibly scary. Way scarier that leaving my job and moving to Europe to be a professional cyclist. Mental illness forced me to develop courage, and that courage has helped me go after the things I want in life.
By taking care of our mental health, we can turn our struggles into growth. There is strength in seeking help. There is also so much joy on the other side. Happy World 🌏 Mental Health Day Everyone ❤️