If we are to win the battle against mental illness, we must resist ourselves – John Arenburg.
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Can I do this? Can I move on from this painful episode of my life? Or am I destined to be trapped in this ocean forever?
These questions constantly plague my mind; almost as frequently as my PTSD. While this may be true, I’d like to think that I’m doing okay. Unfortunately, the consistency I need to defeat this beast simply isn’t there. Perhaps one of the roadblocks I am experiencing is my resistance to support.
Sure, I have goals and dreams, ambition and work ethic – but essentially, like that of someone trapped at sea – I can tread water for only so long until I tire and float backwards, to where I began.
My main weapon against my own tyranny is love.
I suppose that for someone living with a mental-health condition, this particular battle comes standard. With all that said, it doesn’t make it any less exhausting. Yet, despite being tired, I have learned long ago that I am the only one who can save myself; for when I am drowning, it is up to me to reach out and find the help I need.
Of course, having a healthy dose of stubbornness goes a long way to ensure one’s survival. Like that of stubbornness, there are many more reasons that keep pushing me towards the shore. And while the length of my battle may defeat me at times, l shall stay the course and I shall survive. Nay, I will do better than that. I will thrive.
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How, you ask? Well, quite literally, my main weapon against my own tyranny is love – love for myself and love for all those who see me through.
This, my friends, is a sure way to drown.
While we may want to run and hide, lick our wounds in secret, we will not survive alone. In fact, isolation can lead to a worsened mental-health condition. For some, the outcome can be dire.
Human connection and it’s impact on us
Truthfully, or at least from my point of view, we should be doing the opposite – resisting the perceived need to withdraw and hug it out with those who are in our corners.
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Don’t you feel like sometimes you have a bit of self-sabotage going on? I know I sure do. On one hand, we feel like we are navigating these rough seas all on our own and on the other, we are ignoring those in the rescue boats all around us and those who are tossing us life preservers. This, my friends, is a sure way to drown – something we have all been working so hard to prevent.
At the end of the day, we must resist ourselves, that temptation to go it on our own. While you may not feel worthy, I know you are, and you mean so much to those who love you. Please, stop resisting the help that in reality has a much better chance of getting you down the road to mental wellness.
If you are struggling, please go here for help: Crisis Services Canada
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