Imagine if we were taught from an early age that it's okay to put ourselves first what most of us would be like. Imagine lowering the percentage of depression and anxiety because you are fighting the stigma that people are more important than you. The fact that my generation sometimes doesn't have the insurance nor the funds to seek professional help. Imagine having to figure it out on your own unless you can find resources to help. Imagine a world where it was okay to put your mental health first. If you ask for help, you would more than likely get help.
This affects all genders and its not okay to ignore this. When it comes to mental health, men suffer twice as much as women because of the stereotype that men can't speak about their feelings. Growing up with my dad and brothers ( no sisters), I did not grow up with a prime example of sharing feelings unless something major came up. When it came to expressing strong feelings, they were always pushed down because " we should never overreact to things". Passion was hard to come by in my childhood and I feel like it has affected me in some ways as an adult. As it runs in my family, anxiety and depression run wild among the flowers.
I feel like it has affected in some ways my marriage because my husband grew up being able to express loud and complex emotions and he wants me to do that and it's hard. Imagine being able to express emotions that have been pushed down since the dawn of time. Your mental health can affect your relationships with a multitude of people and damage those who are closest to you. Although you should never feel like YOU ARE WALKING ON EGG SHELLS AROUND PEOPLE. Pushing your mental problems down because you have to preserve the sanity and happiness around people should never be a thing. If you are walking on egg shells around a person you care about, get out of that relationship.
Acting like you are walking on egg shells around people you love damages you more than heartbreak because the process is slower and can affect you more in the long run. A swift heartbreak is healthier and easier to heal than slow and painful torture than can result in more medical issues in the future. Your self-care is important. Self-care is more than masks and baths with wine. It's about cutting off the dead ends of your life. As Marie Kondo says " if it doesn't spark joy, then get rid of it" and no that doesn't mean things like bills. If you are having problems and you are going further and further into a hole, seek professional help. It will help unravel thoughts that you may be having that can affect your life. The tips from my old therapist have helped me get past my old traumas. Let's remove the stigma surrounding mental health.
