Darkness to Dialogue: Living Well With Mental Illness

“Shift your focus from what’s left to what you’ve already achieved, a simple mindset change that reduces stress and boosts motivation.” Feeling overwhelmed? Turn your to-do list into a ‘have-done’ list to boost motivation, reduce stress, and support mental health. Why it works: Shifts attention from stress to progress Reinforces a sense of control and competence Boosts motivation for tomorrow How to do it: Grab a notebook, journal, or notes app. At the end of the day, write down  everything you completed , no matter how small. Review your list and celebrate your wins, even if that one email sent or chore completed counts. Keep the list visible to remind yourself of your progress over time. “Focus on what you’ve done, it fuels tomorrow’s growth.” “Sometimes progress is easier to see when you look back instead of ahead. Try today’s tip and notice the difference!” Thank you for stopping by! Until next time, remember that you are not alone in your feelings or experiences. I've got your...

  How Heightened Perception Shapes Mental Health Recovery The Quiet Power That Became a Burden I used to think I was just too sensitive. I’d notice the slightest shift in someone’s tone, a microexpression others dismissed, or tension in the room before anyone spoke. These cues meant everything to me because earlier in life, those small signals were early warnings of danger. One memory stands out vividly. When I was in maybe fourth or fifth grade, I went to a classmate’s house. Things started off fine, but I quickly began to feel uneasy. The house was dim, the blinds closed, and there was an odd heaviness in the air. At one point, the parent made a comment about my appearance in a way that felt uncomfortable. We spent a little time in her room, but soon I felt sick to my stomach. I wanted to leave, but I didn’t want to alarm my friend or have to explain why. So I tried to think of a subtle way out. I suggested we go for a walk, and when I saw another friend’s house nearby, I pr...

Looking Back, Moving Forward This month’s spotlight feature is Caralyn Dreyer, mental health recovery advocate, writer, and the sole creator and voice behind Darkness to Dialogue: Living Well with Mental Illness . Drawing from her own healing journey, Caralyn shares reflections, insights, and lessons from the first year of building this space for connection, compassion, and recovery. Celebrating a year of courage, connection, and the quiet power of healing together. The Journey So Far One year ago, Darkness to Dialogue launched as a space for honest conversations about mental health and recovery. In this founder’s letter, I share the lessons, challenges, and breakthroughs of the past year, and my vision for the next chapter of this community. A story of courage, connection, and the quiet power of healing. Looking Back: A Year of Healing Next month marks a deeply meaningful milestone, one year since Darkness to Dialogue first opened its doors. One year of honest conversations, vu...

    “Healing isn’t about perfection. It’s about persistence. It’s about survival. And it’s about choosing yourself again, every single day.” Summary Healing is often pictured as peaceful and serene, but the truth is it can be raw, messy, and full of grit. Recovery requires both grace and grit: compassion for yourself and persistence when the path is hard. My Healing Wasn’t Pretty, And That’s Okay When I first began my healing journey, I imagined it as something graceful: long walks in nature, quiet reflection, and deep breaths in peaceful spaces. Sometimes it was like that. But more often, it was anything but. Healing for me meant waking up to the same intrusive thoughts for the hundredth time. It meant dragging myself through days when even basic tasks felt monumental. It meant showing up even when I felt hollow. Grace gave me permission to slow down, to breathe, to forgive myself. But grit? Grit was what kept me going when I had nothing left to give. Healing wasn’...

Disclaimer: This post discusses suicide and may be distressing for some readers. It is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional help. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 in the U.S.  What People Really Want To Know About Suicide: Honest Answers, Warning Signs, And How To Help Summary Suicide is a subject people often avoid because of fear, stigma, or uncertainty. Yet when you or someone you love has been touched by suicide, silence can be heavier than words. This post explores the questions people truly want to ask, whether they’ve lived through it personally or are simply trying to understand. My Personal Connection I’ll be honest: suicide isn’t an abstract issue for me. Like many, I’ve had my own encounters with suicidal thoughts, and I’ve also known others who’ve struggled. The silence surrounding suicide was often worse than the pain itself. People tiptoe, afraid of saying the wrong thing, while those in the storm ofte...

Summary  Do you ever react in ways you later regret? In recovery, the difference between reacting and deciding can define your progress. By learning to pause, reflect, and choose intentional responses, you gain control over your healing journey and build resilience that lasts. Quick Insight Reacting is automatic; deciding is intentional. In mental health recovery, pausing before responding allows you to manage emotions, make healthier choices, and strengthen long-term coping skills. Learning to Pause in Recovery Recovery from mental illness isn’t a straight line. For years, I believed that healing meant suppressing my emotions or never stumbling. But the truth is, emotions are going to happen; they’re unavoidable. What matters is how we respond to them. For me, reacting meant snapping at loved ones, shutting down, or spiraling into shame. These patterns kept me stuck in cycles of guilt and frustration, even as I was making progress in other areas of life. Over time, I realized that...

  Monthly Mental Health Spotlight August/September 2025 Edition Written By: Aaron Smith Curated By: Caralyn Dreyer Finding Home: Aaron’s Story Every so often, I come across a story that reminds me why I do what I do. Aaron Smith’s journey is one of those stories. His path through questioning faith, exploring altered states, falling into addiction, and finding peace through yoga nidra is not just compelling; it’s a reminder that mental health recovery can take many forms. I’m honored to share his story here. Summary Aaron Smith’s mental health recovery journey began with a teenage mystical experience, took a detour into addiction, and ultimately found grounding in yoga nidra. His story is raw, inspiring, and full of insights for anyone seeking healing. Key Insights Aaron Smith overcame anxiety, depression, and addiction through yoga nidra, a meditative practice he describes as both instantly rewarding and deeply transformative. It became the key to his mental, emotional, and spiritu...