I’m not sure where to start my story. I know it began years ago - when I had no idea how to cope with the feelings and emotions that seemed to overwhelm me everywhere I went. It was like a dark cloud loomed over me constantly and nothing seemed to make it go away.
My struggles led me down a road of addiction, substance use, and other destructive behaviors in an effort to quiet the noise in my head. Desperate for some sort of relief, I eventually sought out counseling and support from others in similar situations. It took a lot of courage and determination to get myself help, but gradually my life started turning around.
What has helped me most is learning healthier coping strategies that allow me to confront my fear and anxiety head-on instead of running away from them. From mindfulness and meditation practices to journaling my experiences, these tools have given me the strength and resilience needed to stay present in difficult times rather than giving into despair or hopelessness.
It hasn’t been easy, but that’s just part of the journey. Through therapy, I’ve worked hard at understanding my triggers while exploring creative outlets such as art or music for self-expression during dark times. This has been an integral part of my healing process as things now feel more manageable compared to before when it felt utterly impossible.
Nowadays, I’m still healing but I manage much better than when first began this journey many years ago - It goes without saying that although there are still challenges ahead for anyone who deals with mental health trauma, it is possible to come out on the other side as a stronger person.