Live life, learn, laugh, love and travel!

There are days that feel as if nothing is ever going to change. Days that feel, as if life is stagnant. That is how a person can feel after loosing a job, relationship, loved one, friendship, etc. It is always worse with a person who suffers mental turmoil, such as depression, anxiety, etc. The depressed can be overly critical of oneself.  One can even feel as if they’ve lost complete control of everything. An empty void is left and lifeless. How far will one go to treat it? There are an array of triggers that lead to mental turmoil, such as: genetics, dieting and life experiences. In the end, no one can save us but ourselves. There has to be a time where we get up and see the light at the end of the road. We can talk to a close friend, mentor or family but we are the only ones who can change. You only get one life and you live the life you want which is the life you were meant to live.

Therapy helps, however one must commit to the new change in therapy. The most important question to ask oneself is: Is my therapist right for me?  If not then you look for someone else you can talk to.  Do your research, look up clinics, try Zoc Doc or try your primary doctor. A good therapist may be someone who is going to teach you Cognitive Behavior Techniques to help you cope or the right medication. On the contrary, Medicine is always an option but psychiatric evaluation is a must. Medicine is only a necessity if one cannot function in society or becomes immobile to the point of harm. 

Mental stigma is a barrier that must be broken in this world. There are many people that have committed suicide. Talking about it and finding ways to cope can help save lives. There are many support groups or volunteering communities that partake in this. I don’t take medications for anxiety or depression because I hated the feeling of sedation. I prefer to engage in holistic activities and hobbies such as: exercise, dieting, hiking, friends, running, reading, concerts, etc. I’ve cut back on alcohol and any unhealthy habits that can trigger me.  I admit I’m not perfect and 100 percent happy, but I am grateful for many things in life.

Today I’ve had the guts to write about this shadow, I’ve dealt with for so many years. I have my high highs in life, where I absolutely enjoy my life and my low-lows, where my issues seem infinite with no solution. Sometimes I am invincible and other days I’d like to stay in my room and ignore the world, pretend I wasn’t feeling anymore. After my father passed away from cancer years ago, I felt like my world spiraled and I needed help. I graduated during a time where the market wasn’t so great. 2010-2012 was a difficult time in the economy, I stressed too much about finding permanent employment in my industry. At 24, I realized

I needed to get my thoughts together because I worried too much about the future or over-analyzed past situations. It was getting to me to the point where I could not breathe and realized these were anxiety attacks. I went through a few therapists to find the right one; one who can listen not judge and help me believe in me. I started to pursue my goals and enrolled back in school in 2014 and graduated in 2017. I accomplished many things and I am grateful for family, friends and joyful experiences. However the journey still continues. The journey to finding inner peace and stability. It’s hard for me to talk about this with friends and family, so I would rather write about it. I’m not fully there as of yet.

The point is to have a goal everyday and not let my mood affect my career or work.  To be able to manage the emotional intelligence I can possess or fake when I am placed in society. I am still a work-in-progress and still plan to pursue the career of my dreams. I also want to travel more and start a family someday (With the right man, that is). Love myself before I end up falling for someone else. My advice to others who suffer is that, sort out your issues before anyone comes into your world. Part of growing up is accepting who you are. Which means that if you’re suppressing yourself in a job, relationship, career, major, university, etc. that is stressing you out , then you need to find something you love. Don’t give up because of your age, it’s never too late for anything. Anxiety and Depression can be controlled. But it starts with you!

Talk to someone, if you feel you’re in danger because there will be someone who cares about you and YOU DO MATTER. Feel what you feel! but then get back up! stay busy with positive things, stay so busy, that you will forget what made you depressed in the first place. Yet, be grateful for each day because each day brings its own obstacles. Moreover what matters is how we deal and never take everything personal because then we will sulk misery; just know most personalities have nothing to do with you. In this people will let you down but you will let yourself down, when you expect so much in return from others. No one in life owes you anything. So owe yourself, and expect to be there for yourself when you’re not in the best of  moods. Never compare yourself to others or think that the grass is greener on the other side because no one is full happy. Surround yourself with positive friends and family. LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL. DON’T STRESS. LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE, TRAVEL AND LEARN! You only get one life so make the best of it and feel alive. STAY ALIVE! STAY STRONG!