We All Have Mental Health Struggles

Mental health struggles are the norm. We all deal with them. It would be impossible not to! Life is freaking hard. It’s a lot of work, learning, growing and pain. But, it’s also a lot of celebrating, becoming and joy. Unfortunately, we live in a world where so many people keep mental struggles a secret. Under the impression they are alone and something is wrong with them. But trust me, no one has it easy.


Life isn’t smooth sailing for anyone. We’ll all face difficult obstacles. Have feelings of worry, sadness, discomfort of all kinds. It’s not about the fights we face though, it’s about our character development. Leveling up is always an option. Believing in myself has been the ultimate key to my balancing life’s challenges with successes. Old Lindsay wouldn’t have chosen herself for battle, let alone entered with the will to fight. But now, I’d choose my character confidently. There’s no cheat code to be another player. There is however the ability to become the person I know can win. 


I always tell people who reach out to me at the beginning of their journey that the desire to want a better life already demonstrates success. Wanting to better ourselves is something we should all be striving for. Navigating life’s struggles feels easier with open-minded observation and willingness to change. When I notice something about myself I don’t like, I don’t let it drag me down. I celebrate the opportunity for new accomplishment. Whether it’s the way I see myself or actions I can take to instill new behavior, I know it’s an issue I can work through. Small tasks to achieve greatness. Never ending successes fueled by those difficult moments. I am unstoppable in becoming the person I want to be. 


Understanding life is hard eases my expectations. Gives room to love myself while I put in the work. Hardships don’t weigh me down anymore because I’ve seen my strength and I know hurdles make me stronger. Anxiety, overthinking and over worrying are uncomfortable feelings I can work through now. Of course they still come up, but I’m better equipped to refocus and stay positive with practice and understanding. Heartbreak, grief, loss in general is something I’ve dealt with a lot in my life. Something we will all eventually deal with. Perspective comes from experience.  As my mind opens to new concepts, new ideas and new ways of thinking and being, I have built a better relationship with how I cope. Everything that feels more powerful than me…isn’t. 


My older brother died unexpectedly at the age of 26. He wasn’t the first unexpected or painful death in my life, but he was the closest to me. In the past, I dealt with these situations with a “why me?” attitude. As if bad things only happened to me. That perspective blocked me from having hope. From creating positive perspective in my life. Resentful towards people around me who seemed to have it easier, I would sit in misery like I was destined for it. Like bad things happened to me so my life would just simply be bad. I’m extremely grateful to have turned this perspective around before my brother’s death. A horrible tragedy that happened to my family and his friends yet we all had to find a way to keep living. To accept the fact that his life was only 26 years long. Letting my mind wander to the “what ifs” of him still being with us would be nothing but torture. I cherish the moments we had together but I know this is life. Life happens to all of us and I’m lucky enough to be able to rely on myself to carry on and continue finding happiness. 


I am the most powerful person in my own life. I have the opportunity to defeat every obstacle I face and use those experiences to become the best person I can be. I choose to see the positives. I choose to believe in my potential. I choose myself as my guide, my hero and my protector. I have learned to love myself and in return, love this life I live.