Darkness to Dialogue: Living Well With Mental Illness

Estimated Read Time: 7 minutes Summary Trauma and stress aren’t just in your mind; they live in your body. This post explores somatic psychology, showing how understanding and working with bodily sensations can strengthen emotional healing, reduce relapse risk, and create a more holistic recovery journey. Key Takeaway Somatic psychology connects body sensations to emotional healing, revealing how trauma is stored physically. Recognizing and working with these signals supports mental health recovery and sustainable emotional regulation. When the Body Remembers I remember the days when anxiety felt like a heavy weight pressing on my chest, and exhaustion seemed to settle deep in my muscles, no matter how much I rested. My body held stress and pain I couldn’t name; a silent echo of past trauma. "Healing my mind wasn’t enough; my body needed attention too." It took time to realize that trauma isn’t only a mental phenomenon. Somatic psychology taught me that my nervous system, mu...

  Estimated Read Time: 6 minutes Summary: This post explores the vital role of balance in mental health recovery. It highlights how embracing both effort and rest supports sustainable healing, helps manage symptoms, prevents burnout, and fosters resilience. Through personal reflection and practical strategies, it guides readers on creating a flexible, compassionate path to long-term wellness. How I Discovered Balance in Recovery For years, I thought recovery meant pushing myself harder, more therapy sessions, endless self-help books, nonstop journaling, and a relentless chase for “progress.” But instead of feeling better, I often felt exhausted, overwhelmed, and like I was running on empty. I was so focused on fixing my mental health that I forgot to pause, rest, and nurture the parts of me that just needed kindness and space. It wasn’t until I started to embrace balance,  allowing myself both action and rest, effort and ease, that I felt a shift. Balance didn’t mean perfect...

March Mental Health Spotlight:  Featuring:  Netert Aset March marks the launch of our  Mental Health Spotlight , a special series highlighting unique voices, experiences, and insights in the mental health space. To kick things off, I’m thrilled to introduce our very first guest blogger,  Netert Aset ! Through her powerful perspective, Netert sheds light on important mental health topics that inspire reflection, healing, and growth. Stay tuned for an impactful read that continues our mission of turning  Darkness to Dialogue: Living Well with Mental Illness. Conquering Chronic Illness Through Mental Health Written By:  Netert Aset One thing about living with chronic illness is that mental health plays a big role in healing and overall wellness. Many doctors may not have the training to address patients' mental concerns. Additionally, family and friends may be unable to fully relate to and understand the changes their loved one is going through. Most important...

Mental healing is a deeply personal journey, one that feels both overwhelming and empowering at the same time. For years, I felt lost, as if recovery from the trauma I had experienced was something far beyond my reach. It all started when I found myself in 2 abusive relationships, a toxic cycle of domestic violence that left me broken in ways I hadn’t anticipated. It wasn’t just the physical pain; it was the emotional and psychological toll that wore me down, making me question my worth and my ability to ever be truly happy again. Before the abusive relationship was the sexual assault. I didn’t know how to cope with the swirling chaos of pain, fear, and anger. Every day felt like an uphill battle. The weight of those experiences lingered, coloring my perspective on life and how I saw myself. Healing, I thought, was a distant dream. My mind and heart were shattered, and the idea of putting the pieces back together seemed impossible. The road to recovery seemed so long, so difficult. For...

  When I first started struggling with anxiety and depression, I felt like I was stuck in a never-ending cycle. My mind felt heavy, constantly consumed by worry, and my body just seemed to follow suit. I was exhausted, tense, and sluggish. It wasn’t until I began paying attention to my physical health that I realized how much it impacted my mental health. I started small. I began focusing on sleep, no more late nights scrolling through my phone. I established a bedtime routine that helped me unwind, and I made sure to get a full night of rest. Almost immediately, I noticed a difference in how I felt the next day. I also began drinking more water and eating nutrient-rich foods, fueling my body with what it truly needed. One of the biggest changes came when I incorporated regular exercise into my routine. I kept it simple by just walking every day. The result? I felt lighter, both physically and mentally. Slowly, I began breaking the cycle, discovering that taking care of my body was...