Are you OK? No, seriously, how are you doing? Me? I instinctively bury it all. But at least it’s a healthy outlet?
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Hey, you, do you suffer from one or more mental-health disorders? If so, I’d like to ask you something. How are you doing? No, really, are you OK? If not, what are you doing for you?
I ask because many of us, the mentality ill, are more likely to ensure the happiness of others. This, despite whether we know it is hurting our own happiness, our own mental health.
Don’t get me wrong – helping others is amazing! Personally, it’s been very therapeutic for me. Not only has it been cathartic for me, it’s also been fruitful.
The power of helping others
I am immensely proud to say that I have had the honor of helping a fair number of those who suffer in one form or another. Additionally, every now and then, I have someone reach out with a thank-you or to tell me how grateful they are for my help.
Nowadays, my soul focus is on mental-health advocation. And even that is too much at times. But when I pace myself, it helps me define my purpose.
So, it may come as no surprise to you that I am energized by the sense of accomplishment. I mean, for me, there’s nothing better than making someone get on the right path…
However, because my own mental health is what I refer to as frail, I must get better at setting limits. Admittedly, this is something I’m not great at.
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Regardless of how inept I am at recognizing when my brain has had enough, I still need to get better at recognizing the signs of collapse. Furthermore, I need to get a bit better at being kinder to myself than I am at present. I think the combination of the two will help for sure.
With that said, I am noticeably better at slowing down and being kinder to the grey matter in my noggin. Even if it’s only an inch, it is movement, and that’s what matters.
However, I must confess that having PTSD necessitates that I keep busy, even though I can’t handle said busy…. oh, the irony.
Break free from PTSD
Even so, who wants to confront the horrors of the past? While I do want to heal, I can’t seem to unlock the tragic past that, in some ways seems like yesterday. I will, however, keep chipping away at it. I have to.
So, I soldier on, doing the one thing I know that provides me with a healthy distraction: being of service to others.
If you are struggling, please go here for help: Talk Suicide Canada
Now that we know how I’m doing, let me ask you again, how are you doing? Are you OK? Maybe not, or maybe so? In my view it can all depend on the moment you’re in. Either way, a healthy distraction is better than a destructive one. Right? I consider helping others a positive distraction.
I genuinely believe that you and I will be okay, with better days ahead because as long as we are still alive, we have a chance to live. And knowing that may be just enough to get us to the healthier end of the road to mental wellness.
