Keep looking for the light!!

[Puzzled57]

After 30 years of therapy, different meds, isolation, losing friends, and not really liking myself alot of the time, I feel like I have broken through the dark place. I know my triggers, have my SEL toolbox, avoid social media, use the Four Agreements, and smile a lot more. One day at a time, cautiously proceeding.

In this day and age where so much trauma experienced by children is more transparent and therefore being addressed, I am hopeful that this and following generation will be a more mentally healthy cohort. No more of “sucking it up and dealing with it”, or “sweeping it under the rug” in hopes that it will disappear. Parents/ guardians/ trusted adults are recognizing signs of trauma and doing something about it. What looks like things going overboard is what I feel are the adjustments taking place as in anything. Im so excited that the conversation about mental health is occurring and things are happening for good and/or bad- there is recognition. Be patient and be ready to let your light shine. ❤️

[MmSh]

Times are changing - mental health is coming to the forefront, being recognized for how critical it is to our over all health. It's great to see the change.

Growing up, mental health was never part of the conversation. I never even heard the term. When I think back, I wonder how I made given how much anxiety I had as kid (and now as an adult). No one ever addressed us kids who struggled so hard to keep up w/ what we thought was "normal". Nothing was ever said about our emotional and mental aspects. Not a peep. We just kept on rolling w/ the punches even though it hurt.

There's hope. Lots of discussion and resources.

Thanks for reminding us that progress is being made - do we have a long way to go? YES. But the journey has begun.

Be well.

[autumnmarie5]

I love this!! Thank you so much for this post this is such an inspiration for me. I’ve been wanting to really cut back on my social media usage and I think that’s what I really need to do to help my anxiety. Of course this is different but comparing myself to other acquaintances is just adding more unnecessary stress. You are so right in its coming to the forefront! I am a huge advocate for mental health and I always try to share something about it on my social media so others know how important it is. ❤️

[designguy]

Yeah, good for you, what a great place to be!

I'm curious, what is a SEL Toolbox?

[Puzzled57 in reply to designguy]

Its social emotional learning strategies, coping skills. Things that you know should work but in the midst of suffering you forget, or you tell yourself they wont work for you anyway. Eventually you find some that actually do work for you and you put them in your “toolbox” to use when you need them. I wish you peace!!

[designguy in reply to Puzzled57]

Thanks, sounds like a good solution. I know how easy it is to forget when stuff is happening. Peace to you too.