Growing pains

Everyone is struggling in their own way, whether it’s mentally or physically. Either way, not handling your emotions can mess with your mind. I’ve struggled with overbearing thoughts for years without any help. I realized my mental health was bad when sleeping wasn’t just for rest. It was an escape from reality; nothing matters when I’m asleep. I’m at peace. 

My mom always told me I was being “extra,” a “cry-baby,” or making an excuse to not do a specific task. In addition to this, my dad wasn’t around enough to notice I was tearing myself down because I felt like my feelings were too hard to understand and deal with. 

I understand adults getting lost in alcohol and drugs because I know what it feels like to want to get away from what can potentially hurt you. So why can’t they understand that I need just one moment to organize myself for just basic human interaction? I need to shield my emotions from the world too so I’m not emotionally naked. I didn’t want to get better to begin with, but I knew I had to at some point if I wanted to make something of my life. 

Now I’m trying harder than ever to get my mental health where it needs to be! I’m doing things I don’t even want to do, like getting out of bed at eight in the morning and working out, doing extra studies, and socializing. I don’t want my feelings to control me, or my motivation is going to get in the way of my goals. I’m also not saying I want to be emotionally numb either until my goals are reached.

I wish people would just be understanding and not just be like “that’s just an excuse to be lazy,” “stop being extra,” or even “school is more important than your mental health.” Neglecting these problems is not going to help anyone, especially not you.

Parents and older generations can’t get a good grasp on how important mental health is and how important your mental and physical states are. I decided to seek help for myself by taking action to meet a therapist, discovering coping skills, and making vulnerable connections with people so I can explain my feelings to them.

Yes, I went through the same stage of, “Why do I need to talk to a therapist if I have a family? Why talk to a stranger?” But that’s where the vulnerable connections come in. Stop letting adults or parents influence you to neglect your feelings! When you have children or a younger person in your life, please encourage them to express their feelings. Let them know that having down days is okay and it’s important to take an extra five minutes to recollect yourself.

There are many other ways to start the healing process and begin the road of bettering your mental health. You can read books, watch shows, go on social media, spend time with friends, watch movies, do some journaling or drawing, get some exercise, go to therapy, or listen to music. There are many more examples too—don’t wait! Start now. We have future generations to carry!