Mental Health Awareness
By Maddie
“She was a girl who knew to be happy even when she was sad. And that’s important.”
I combat certain mental illnesses that affect my mental health and my ability to live a stable and kind life. One of my biggest obstacles during these times is the ability to find positivity during my darkest days.
I believe that to be stable and healthy entails being able to be your best self, even when it seems like life is throwing the world at you. To shine through strength, kindness, and love even though you might just want to curl into a ball. Or, the need to tear down that person that might be making you feel powerless and hopeless.
“She builds others up because she knows what it’s like to be torn down.”
As I struggle to find the strength to radiate positivity during the hardships of my life, I, through the power of mindfulness and extensive therapy, which is vital to overcoming my illness, have learned how to strife the darkness. I am learning how to exude affection, happiness, and thoughtfulness even when I can barely get out of bed in the morning.
The ability to do this shows a certain kind of gift that many of us either wish to have or battle with. Through my therapy, I am learning how to take on the darkness by taking the day one breath at a time.
“Note to self: I don’t have to take this day all at once, but rather, one step, one breath, one moment at a time. I am only one person. Things will get done when they get done.”
I have had to remind myself that I am only human and I have to be mindful in order to become a successful, stable and healthy woman.
Another helpful skill is learning how to communicate when you are at your darkest.
“Loneliness does not come from being alone, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to you.”
I have noticed that when I have my hardest days, it is because I am not communicating to my loved ones. The days when I consciously or unconsciously isolate myself are my most despairing days. I might be a warrior but I am nothing without my tribe, my family and my health community.
Lastly, the aspect that helps me project positivity is renewed confidence.
“You can break down a woman temporarily, but a real woman will always pick up the pieces, rebuild herself, and come back stronger than ever.”
I continue to build and display confidence to the world. In doing this I validate myself. If I exhibit confidence than I can concur almost anything.
I am a person with mental illness. I do not let my diagnosis define who I am and how I live each day. My diagnosis will always be a part of me but I refuse to let it dictate any aspect of my life, especially when it inflicts hopelessness, darkness, and pain. I am not perfect nor do I pretend to be. Some days, the darkness wins but those days are far and few between.
I encourage all women and girls out there to fight the darkness. I believe that I am an empowered and poised woman who wants to learn how to fail and get back up again. As I joust the darkness, I believe that I will come back stronger than ever before. My definition of empowered and poised is being able to treat others with love and kindness even when you may be breaking. We must be able to look darkness in the eye, smile and give it a wink.
“What made her strong was despite the million things that hurt her she spoke of nothing but happiness.”
