10 Little Encouragements for Hard Mental Health Days
1. You are not alone.
Whatever you’re feeling, whatever you’re going through, be it stress, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or any issue, you are not the only one struggling with it. I promise. There are people who love you, care about you and want you live and get better. I am one of them.
2. Your track record of getting through bad days is 100 percent.
You can get through today. And guess what? You can get through tomorrow, too.
3. The day is only 24 hours.
This thought has gotten me through so many days, especially when I wake up depressed or anxious. It gets to the point when I’m literally counting down the hours and minutes until I can crawl back in bed and start a new day. 24 hours. You can do this.
4. Tomorrow is a brand new day.
Yes, it might feel like the same sh*t you dealt with yesterday, but it is still a brand new day. A new day to have an adventure, smile more, find another tool to help, be a bit more or less productive than yesterday. It’s a new chance. And it’s up to you what you do with it and whether or not you decide to take the chance and do something new.
5. You are brave, strong, courageous and a damn fine warrior!
You may have been fighting your demons for what seems like forever. Some of you have been fighting for decades. Think about that! You have been fighting for years and haven’t given up. Bravo! You are strong, much stronger than you thought you were, before this war began. You have fought every day and you will continue to fight every day until you have won. That, my dears, is incredible bravery.
6. Your struggle does not define you.
Yes, my demons have a rather large impact on my life. But I don’t say, “I’m Ambyr, I’m depressed.” No. Instead, I say “I’m Ambyr. I have depression.” See the difference? Your demons, your struggle, your war does not take away from the awesome, amazing, wonderful, incredible person you were before the war and who you are now! It is something you deal with, but it does not define you.
7. It will get better.
I know it’s hard to believe when you’re stuck down in the muck and the pain and the dark. But, I promise you this, it will. Your present situation is not your final destination. You are heading towards something a million times better than what you are going through right now. Diamonds have to go through intense heat and intense pressure to be made. Just think, when you’re going through an extremely rough time, you’re becoming a diamond.
8. You are not perfect.
I know right now you’re thinking, How is that an encouragement? Well, that’s because no one is perfect, so you’re in great company! Martin Luther King Jr wasn’t perfect. David Bowie wasn’t perfect. Robin Williams wasn’t perfect. Alan Rickman wasn’t perfect. I am far from perfect. The President isn’t perfect. Kings and Queens aren’t perfect. There is not one single person who is perfect on the entire earth. So, please do not think you have to be perfect, because you don’t. And I know, with the demons lying and screaming, it can be easy to feel far from perfect. And you know what? That’s perfectly OK. No is asking you to be perfect. I’m not and neither are your brothers and sisters who are fighting alongside you. You don’t have to be perfect. I promise.
9. Count your blessings.
Honestly, it helps. Sometimes it feels like my only blessing is I’m alive, but this in itself is indeed a blessing! Blessings may include a roof over my head, clothes on my back, food in my belly, a warm bed, shoes on my feet and running water. Or a family taking me in. Or a friend who checks in on me every single day. Or a therapy animal. Or children. Or a husband or wife. We have blessings all around us. All we have to do is look and they will appear.
10. I believe there is a reason for our struggles.
I don’t know what the reasons are and trust me, I would give anything to know why we are struggling and fighting. But, I believe there is a reason. Maybe the reason is to help me cultivate my inner strength. Maybe it’s to show me even though I may not love myself, I am loved by many others. Maybe it’s to show me when I reach rock bottom, I can pick myself back up. Maybe it’s to help me get in touch with myself and help me figure out who I really am. I don’t know. I believe there is reason in my struggles and if I really, really look for it, there may even be peace.
Stay strong, dear ones.
If you or someone you know needs help, visit our suicide prevention resources page.
If you need support right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text “START” to 741-741.
We want to hear your story. Become a Mighty contributor here.
Thinkstock photo via kontalino.