I thought healing and mental health recovery meant reaching a point where I would never struggle again. When I first entered treatment, I thought I would leave a completely different person. Not just better, but also fixed and healed. I…
Things I Wish People Understood About Mental Health Struggles
Some of the lowest points of my life looked completely normal from the outside. I still smiled and showed up to things. I tried to act like everything was okay. Meanwhile, I was exhausted, overwhelmed, disconnected from myself, and terrified…
I’m Not Lazy, I’m Depressed
“Lazy.” That was the word I used to use for myself. Lazy for missing assignments, staying in bed too long, and falling behind in college classes I genuinely cared about. Lazy for ignoring emails I desperately wanted to answer and…
Beyond the Rain Cloud: Understanding Depression and Hope
I don’t remember the first time I felt depressed. There wasn’t a dramatic moment or a breakdown. There was just a slow, quiet loss of joy, of energy, of hope… until one day I realized that I couldn’t remember what…
Valentine’s Day and the Gift of Self-Compassion
Happy Valentine’s Day! Valentine’s Day can remind us to not only share love with others, but also to slow down and show ourselves love through self-compassion. Simply defined, self-compassion means treating yourself with the same love and kindness you would…
Taking Pressure Off Of New Year’s
It’s hard to believe that 2024 is already over. Like many of you, this brings up mixed feelings for me. Most years, I have approached this holiday with a lot of dread. However, this year I am mainly feeling gratitude…