When I first started university, I was excited for this big change, but through this transition, I slowly began to feel isolated, and lonely.
After months of struggling, I eventually found myself developing an eating disorder. It took me a long time to see how much it was affecting me and the people I love. My family was worried, and I could tell they didn’t know how to help. I was trying to hold everything together on my own, but eventually, I knew something had to change.
What Helped Me Reach out for Help
The thing that really encouraged me to seek help was my family. Seeing how concerned they were for me made me realize I couldn’t do this alone. Knowing that my family believed in me and wanted me to get better gave me the push I needed to begin therapy and my recovery journey.
Steps to Understanding Myself
When I started therapy, I wanted to understand why this was happening to me. I didn’t know why I couldn’t just get better on my own. My illness had grown to a point where it had taken away so much of what made me, me. I felt like I was drowning in confusion and guilt, and because of that, I isolated myself from the people I loved most. I couldn’t show up for them in the way I wanted to.
The moment when I knew things started to change was when my therapist told me she was proud of me, and that she could see how hard I was trying. For the first time in a long time, I felt seen, and it gave me hope that I could get better.
What I’ve Learned from Therapy
One of the most valuable things I’ve learned throughout my mental health journey so far is resilience. For me this looks like me being able to get up and try again, even when things don’t go perfectly. My therapist has also given me some tools that have helped me work through difficult moments, and I’ve started to naturally use them in my daily life.
Now I can sit with hard feelings, and know that I’m capable of handling them.
Caring for My Mental Health
Fast forward to now, taking care of my mental health is something I do every day. I try to use the tools I’ve learned and check in with myself regularly. I go on walks, do yoga, and spend time doing hobbies that make me happy. Don’t get me wrong, I still have bad days, but I’ve learned that they’re normal, and that everyone has them. What helps is the resilience I have to not give up on myself.
Looking Back and Seeing How I’ve Grown
Looking back, I can see how much I’ve changed, and I can finally say that I feel like myself again. I have energy, confidence, and hope for my future, and my family and friends see it too. I’ve been able to rediscover my passions and goals, and I feel like I have something meaningful to offer the world.
I’m also really proud that I now know how to ask for help when I need it, and I don’t let myself get to a breaking point anymore. I’m leaning on my support network, and I’m learning to be kind to myself, even when things are hard.
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