Throughout my short time being a part of the Odyssey team, I have contemplated writing this because I know it would bring up old memories, toxic moments, and way too many secret panic attacks.

I am not here to bring up the past in every aspect but instead to appreciate the growth that I have had in my mental state. Let me just say, my mental health has grown so much, and I owe it to putting myself first in situations.

The Kendra Pettyjohn at Burns High School was the girl who spent too much time worrying over things I knew I had no control over.

I was a young girl with dreams of helping people with their personal problems but yet I couldn't even help myself.

The Kendra Pettyjohn at Burns High School was the girl whose thoughts were constantly clouded from anger, stress, confusion and the thought of being ready to get away from home.

Fast forward two-ish years, I have come to the realization that my mental health being intact is the only way for me to be who I am.

I unconditionally support giving myself those mental breaks when I need to, even if I beat myself up later that day. It's clear to me now that being open to talking, listening and evaluating what is going on will be much better than keeping it in.

Although I am still in the midst of growth, taking a step back to get out of the toxic air I was in and surrounding myself in an environment for growth and peace was a positive step. Growth is not something that comes in a few days or even a few months. It is a hard process of growing spiritually, mentally and physically. I had to make sure I understood that not being OK sometimes was actually OK.

"This will all make perfect sense someday," lingers on my lock screen to remind myself that every step I take in anything will pay off in the long run.