Dear younger self...
By the time you reach 30 you’ll be figuring it out. The advice I would give to my past self is:
• Look after yourself first - caring about others is a good thing, but not to the extent that you only care about others, (not yourself) and worry about them all the time. In order to help them you need to keep yourself well, so that you are strong enough for them to be able to turn to you in times of need. You cannot save everybody, but you can save yourself and actively help people in leading by example.
• There is nothing to hide - don’t hold back in appointments or therapy, it is a safe space for you to let everything out. It is important that you do, to receive the correct diagnoses and treatment. In regards to strangers, colleagues and clients don’t be afraid to talk openly about mental health there either. Family and friends are easy, because they love you and are accepting, they try their best to understand, but people you don’t know very well can benefit from you voicing your experiences, and may be encouaged to speak about their own, if they see you are not scared to, ultimately spreading awareness and fighting discrimination.
• You CAN! - Alot of the time you think you can’t do things, but try, you will be surprised at what you are capable of. You may find it difficult but the more you put yourself in those difficult situations - the easier they get. There will be a point where opening the door and answering the phone is second nature, not fear inducing.
• Don’t give up - It feels like things will never change, but with a lot of effort and hard work they do. You will be happy, in a full time job that you love, living in an apartment with your boyfriend who you love. Sounds crazy, but things will get better, I promise you.
