I started this blog back in June 2022 to create a safe space, a place where people can come and know, without a doubt, that they are not alone. It’s been a couple of months since my last post. Life got busy, and honestly, I’ve always turned to writing when I was going through something heavy. Writing has always helped me express myself. It feels easier than speaking, maybe because there’s no tone or judgment on paper the way it exists in person.

Sometimes it feels like I’m standing in a crowded room and nobody can hear or see me, like I’m drowning in a pool of my own thoughts and tears. I want to escape this body but I can’t. I used to confidently tell others to become comfortable in the uncomfortable, and now I’m trying to follow my own advice. Lately, it feels like I keep falling flat on my face. But I’ve realized that when you fall, you only have two options. You can stay down or pick yourself back up.

There are so many things happening that I wish weren’t, and somehow I still find ways to blame myself for things I can’t control. I think what I’m trying to say through all of this is that I need to start showing myself more compassion. I need to accept that it’s okay to not be okay. I’ve always seen crying or feeling angry as weakness, not in others, just in myself. I used to blame my upbringing or my subconscious, but one thing I’ve learned is that blame doesn’t help anyone. Neither does assuming. My seventh grade teacher once told me, “When you assume, you make an ass out of you and me,” and I’ve never forgotten that. That doesn’t mean I haven’t made assumptions or mistakes. I have. I’ve hurt people. Not intentionally, but I’ve messed up. I just want to keep growing and becoming better.

I’ve noticed that I get stuck in the past a lot, replaying old pain. But staying in the past only keeps you tied to past emotions. I know I’m not alone in this. I also know that the mistakes I’ve made have been made by others too. I’m not the only one, and neither are you.

One of my biggest goals right now is to be more vulnerable. It terrifies me, but this blog has helped push me into parts of myself I never used to explore. I tend to forget the good things in life, so I’m bringing gratitude back into my routine. I used to write down three things I was grateful for every morning. I even asked ChatGPT to help create a daily prompt that we can all do together to help us stay present, practice gratitude, and let go of what we can’t control so we can focus on what we can.

I also want to give a special shoutout to a book I read recently, The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale. I read it three months ago and plan to reread it after I finish this post. That book reminded me that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I want you to know that even though I may know a lot about mental health and psychology, I still struggle. I’m still learning. And you are not alone.

Please remind yourself of this:
You are loved.
You are worthy.
You are important.
You deserve to take up space.

Don’t let anything or anyone tell you otherwise. You are not alone. I’m right here with you, and I promise we can get through this together. We deserve to be here.