Finding Strength While Living with Mental Illness

Give Your Mental Health A Voice

I started this blog to shed light on the symptoms and experiences connected to mental illness. If you are living with depression and anxiety you might often struggle with symptoms that aren't always obvious. Mental health and mental illness are not something that everyone understands or even acknowledges. This can be due to cultural norms, societal norms, and of course the dreaded "s" word, stigma. I admit that I have let the stigma surrounding mental health affect how I view my experiences. 

"I put undue and unfair pressure on myself to not act or feel a certain way."

I've often felt uncomfortable with my own experiences, and I haven’t always been the kindest or most patient with myself. But that's something I'm actively working on—and it's a change that will keep unfolding. The world outside can be tough enough, so it's even more important that we learn to be understanding and compassionate with ourselves. We all face challenges, and we deserve the same kindness from ourselves that we so often give to others.

Imagine sitting in the dark, but it’s not the kind of dark where you can just relax and let your mind unwind. It’s the kind that feels suffocating—like the walls are slowly closing in, and with each breath, the space around you gets tighter. 

You start to feel like you’re not just in a room but trapped in it like the weight of everything pressing down on you is too much to bear. It’s a struggle to breathe, a heaviness that makes you feel like you're being swallowed whole, and there’s no escape. 

It's not something you can easily shake off, and the hardest part is feeling so alone in it like nobody else could truly understand how heavy the world feels at that moment to be overwhelming, hopeless, and full of despair. From the outside, my symptoms aren't always obvious. It can feel like I'm watching life unfold from a distance as if observing someone else's life through a TV screen. 

Since many of these struggles aren't visible, it’s hard to explain to others that it’s not just a “bad day.” Maybe you’ve felt like you're on some kind of autopilot that no one else understands. If so, know that I get it—the parts of mental illness that often go unseen. You're not alone in this.

The Hidden Impact of Mental Illness on Daily Life

Have you ever wondered what it is like living with a mental illness? Before I realized that the challenges I faced were related to my mental health, I admit that I didn't really know either. 

Living with depression and anxiety has been an eye-opening journey, to say the least. It’s been a constant frenemy in my life for years. The reason I would refer to my mental illness as a friend is more along the lines of it being a constant companion. It's there on the good days and on the rough days.

While depression can sometimes feel like it’s stealing away precious time, it has also taught me valuable lessons in resilience and authenticity. I've discovered ways to confront my mental health challenges head-on, rather than simply trying to navigate around them. 

According to current data for 2024, approximately 1 in 5 Americans (around 57.8 million adults) experience a mental illness.

The first step was realizing that my symptoms were beginning to interfere with my daily life. On hard days it can feel nearly impossible to function—like I'm frozen in time while everything around me keeps moving forward. There are moments when stress triggers these feelings, and I find myself longing to "just be normal." 

I wish I didn't have to work so much harder than others just to handle a simple conversation without my anxiety spiraling. My hands shake, my heart races like it might burst from my chest, and my voice wavers uncontrollably. It's a tough experience, to say the least.

In these moments the sense of disconnection begins to settle in. I withdraw from others, a pattern that's been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. There's a reason I haven't always maintained close, consistent relationships—when I don't feel like I can "function," I pull away. The root of this separation often lies in shame, embarrassment, and a deep sense of exhaustion.

 Living with mental illness often means carrying a hidden burden that others can’t see. It affects daily life in ways that are hard to explain, leaving people feeling isolated. Discussing mental health is important because it reduces stigma, raises awareness, and fosters empathy, creating a supportive space for those who may be silently struggling.

Final Thoughts

Lately, I've been focusing on something that’s become really important to me: reconnecting. Not only with others but with myself. Whether it’s through a simple act of self-care or reaching out to friends and family for support, these small steps are making a big difference. They’re not just part of my routine—they’re the key to navigating the ups and downs of my mental health journey, helping me move forward, one layer at a time.

This blog is dedicated to myself and others who struggle with any mental illness. I hope that being candid, authentic, and honest about my experiences, allows me to inspire, support, and empower others to embrace their experiences with their mental health too. It is a part of my story and maybe yours too but it does not define who we are.

Thank you for stopping by! I am so excited that you chose to spend a couple minutes of your time here with me. This is a space where you can be reminded that your mental health matters, that you can live well despite your challenges, and that you are not alone.

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Until next time be kind and patient with your journey!

*The information provided is for educational purposes only, it is not a substitute for professional medical advice, and you should always consult a qualified mental health professional regarding any concerns you may have about your mental health.