“If you don’t make time for your wellness, you will be forced to take time for your illness”.
I don’t know who said this quote, but I think it’s pretty spot on.
It is quite obvious when it comes to physical health, but I think it is equally true for mental health.
I can only speak from my own experience, but I really notice the difference when I am actively doing things to take care of my mental health, and when I am not.
As I mentioned in my last post, I am an HSP or highly sensitive person. As an HSP, I get easily overstimulated and overwhelmed.
It is so important for me to have time by myself- to calm my nervous system, rest and recharge. If I do not get this downtime (and it’s hard to come by as a mother!) there is a real decline in my mental health and my ability to “carry on”.
When I do get this time to myself, I feel so much better. My cup is refilled and I have the physical and mental energy I need to face the day.
The struggles I have faced postpartum have caused me to turn inwards and I have become more self aware than ever.
Working with my psychologist I have uncovered trauma that I didn’t realise I carried with me.
Trauma that is triggered almost daily since becoming a mother.
It’s hard to explain how it feels to go through this.
It’s emotionally exhausting.
I wish there was a magic cure, but it’s not something I can sweep under the rug and expect it to solve itself.
It’s hard work.
Healing isn’t linear so sometimes it’s one step forwards and two steps back...and that can be discouraging because some it feels like I haven’t made any progress.
But just as the body needs continuous exercise to stay in shape, so does the mind. And I’m committed to working on my mind, to help it heal.
Writing like this is a huge help for me. I hope it helps you to read it. It’s an incredible thing to come together in empathy and shared experiences.
It blows my mind that 1 in 5 of us are going through mental illness...which is so many...yet most of us feel so alone.
You’re not alone.
You are important, you are loved.
Please reach out if you are hurting.
You can message me if you feel like you don’t have anyone to talk to.
I promise to listen and validate you.
I have hope that things will get better for us both ❤️
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