My biggest fear on this platform is to come across as a “know-it-all” regarding mental health because that is far from the truth. I’d be lying if I told you I never had days where my most significant accomplishments were getting out of bed and taking a shower. There are days when I feel “off,” and that is the best way I can describe it. Thankfully, those days are not as common as they used to be, but that does not mean they have disappeared completely. I look at this platform as if we (the audience & myself) are in this together. I have developed and researched coping techniques that have made my mental health journey more manageable, but the work never stops.

We know that coping varies from person to person. We continue to mold our coping mechanisms as we age; we develop new ones and retire older methods. What served us well in our 20s may be different when we reach our 50s, which is okay. The important thing is not to give up and continue along life’s path.

Feelings/Emotions ebb and flow – you will never be constantly happy, sad, angry, etc. Many factors affect this, so it would be impossible to remain in the same emotion all the time. Although it may feel like a disadvantage, this truly is to your advantage. Why? It gives you perspective and helps us relate to one another. We can find similarities in our feelings no matter who we are or where we come from. Human emotions/feelings are not unique but uniform throughout the world. These commonalities help increase our connection and understanding of one another.

While it may seem that the goal is to eradicate any perceived negative emotions, it is quite the opposite. Why? You feel grateful when you feel positive emotions because you know what it feels like to feel sad, angry, disappointed, etc. In a way, our negative emotions/feelings give us a better appreciation for life and remind us to cherish the good moments. The next time you read my blog post, listen to my podcast, or view my social media posts – know that it is not my intention to preach but to learn alongside you. We’re all students here. 🙂