American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The first wealth is health.”
Unfortunately, due to our busy lives, we often neglect to take care of ourselves. Just as physical health is crucial, mental health is equally important, yet it tends to be overlooked and mistakenly perceived as insignificant. In reality, mental health issues can be far more serious than we might imagine.
2023 has been a rollercoaster, marked by professional success and academic accomplishment as I completed my master’s. However, personally, it has been a challenging period. Without any apparent reason, the surrounding circumstances became overwhelming, and I consistently ignored the subtle triggers that contributed to my feelings of depression and anxiety.
Because I am an avid overthinker, my anxiety was significantly intensified, leading to major mental breakdowns, unexplained tears, and heightened irritability. As a writer, expressing my views is integral to my job, yet this has posed a considerable challenge throughout the year. Persistent writer’s block has often left me feeling disheartened.
Despite the challenges, I discovered a profound love for my work. Even amidst tremendous stress, writer’s block, and various obstacles, I managed to fulfill my work commitments and complete research projects, blogs, and content creation. While I am cognizant that being a workaholic and overworking is not ideal, it played a crucial role in preserving my sanity during challenging times.
In 2023, I realized the importance of acknowledging one’s struggles. Acceptance is the first step toward empowerment. Although it may not bring instant relief, acknowledging and accepting the situation paves the way for finding solutions to overcome the darkness of anxiety. Healing is a gradual process, and while I am not entirely fine, I am committed to taking steps to improve my well-being.
Now my goal is to become a better and bolder version of myself. Mental and emotional resilience is extremely important, and I recognize the significance of working on my emotions to enhance my resilience. While the journey may be gradual, I am dedicated to making progress and fostering a healthier mindset.
As we stepped into 2024, let us all remember the significance of mental health. Taking care of our mental well-being is not just a personal responsibility but a collective one. Let’s encourage each other to prioritize self-care, seek support when needed, and cultivate resilience.
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, joyous, and inspiring 2024.