Whether you're recovering and healing from a mental illness, a toxic friendship, or an unhealthy relationship, healing takes time, and it isn't always easy. It would be great to think that one day we'll wake up and be fine again, that we will be ourselves again. However, when we lose sight of that vision or truly have no idea when we will experience peace, it can become frustrating.

Healing can be a life-changing experience, but it can also take a long time. When searching for that inner peace and feeling like yourself, it seems easy to become impatient and always hoping for more. After attempting to heal from failed relationships, broken friendships, and the stress that heavily affects me each day, I can say that it really doesn't get easier, only better.

Healing is a process that looks different for everyone. To me, writing brings my mind at peace, so this is often what I do. However, for another person, something completely different may help them in the healing process. In order to better support our friends and family who may be healing from something that we do not even realize they have been affected by, we need to make sure that the feelings they are experiencing are validated.

Invalidation is a harsh feeling. When someone that you are close to dismisses your feelings, it can be rough. Sometimes, I really don't know what to feel when my feelings are invalidated, but I also realize that the other person may not completely realize that what they're saying or doing is hurting me. If you're comfortable, talk about your time healing, and people around you may become more conscientious of what is going on in your life.

Making progress and becoming yourself is the greatest thing that can happen during the healing process. Maybe it's noticing that your smile feels more real, or maybe it's that you've started making more social plans. I say this often, but it seems so true: it's the little things that matter because eventually, they will turn into a big thing that will be impactful.

Growth isn't always happiness and smiles. Sometimes, it's tears and long days. It's about waiting and being patient and having faith that life is directing you to a path that you're meant to be on. So, to those who are healing: know that your feelings are valid, know that your experiences are personal and are your own, and know that eventually, you will be where you are supposed to be.