With acceptance came a sense of peace. I no longer expended energy on wishing things were different or lamenting my circumstances. Instead, I focused on what I could do to improve my situation. This shift allowed me to be kinder to myself and to approach my mental health with compassion rather than frustration.
Building Resilience
Living with mental health conditions requires resilience. By changing my mindset, I began to see myself as resilient rather than weak. Each day became an opportunity to practice resilience, whether through small acts of self-care or significant steps in my healing journey.
This resilience was not about suppressing my emotions or pretending everything was fine. It was about acknowledging my struggles, giving myself grace, and continually working towards a healthier, more balanced life. It was about finding strength in vulnerability and courage in the face of adversity.
Finding Joy
One of the most significant outcomes of this shift was the ability to find joy again. When I saw myself as someone who suffers from mental health conditions, joy seemed out of reach. It felt like a distant memory or an unattainable goal. However, by living with my conditions, I opened myself up to the possibility of joy in everyday moments.
I began to notice and appreciate the small things: a warm cup of coffee in the morning, the beauty of nature, the laughter of loved ones. These moments of joy became the building blocks of a more fulfilling life, despite the presence of depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
Thanks for reading, in part 4 I'll talk about encouraging others, and I've drawn my own conclusion through all of this. (and let's face it if you've read this far you might as well see the end of the story)
A note about the author: Craig Field (me) is not a trained counsellor or therapist. I do try to offer advice based on my own personal experience; however, you should always talk to a medical practitioner or qualified therapist to come up with a tailored plan to help with your illness. My knowledge comes from my own personal, lived experience and that of witnessing people close to me navigating the mental health system.These blog posts are not intended to replace your doctor or psychologist.
Together we CAN make a difference!
If this post has brought up some difficult thoughts for you please seek help from your doctor or one of the services listed below. In an emergency dial 000.
13YARN 13 92 76
Blue Knot Helpline 1300 657 380
First Nations Support Line 1800 959 500
Headspace 1800 650 890
Mens Helpline 1300 789 978
Standby support after suicide 1300 727 247
Comments