There comes a time when things just click into place. Well, no, in my case it’s more like a clunk or a bang. Point is, I did the work over 25 years and I am now FINALLY getting a return on my investment.
My recovery from mental/emotional illness is my most precious asset. I committed to it fully back in 2006, after my kid was born and I had just started the rounds of most of the psych wards in the NH – MA area. It gave me the tools I needed to support my kiddo through their own battles with psychiatric health and trauma. My own experience gave me invaluable knowledge how to handle someone who is going through the difficulties of severe psychiatric symptoms.
Fast forward 18 years. My kiddo is a strong, independent, amazing human being who is also committed to being the best human they possibly can be. I really believe that if I hadn’t had the experiences with my own mental illness, I would be utterly umprepared to help with their issues.
Our lives are made up of countless experiences, all strung one after the other. Each one affects all of the others past and future. I know why I have the issues that I do, I have reflected long and deeply on it. I wasn’t afraid to make it to the bottom of the barrel on the stickiest and most uncomfortable topics.
Living a life in fear is no life at all. I have long since ceased to care what anyone thought of me or my actions; other people simply do not matter enough for me to care. Loved ones are different, of course, but even they come in different aspects and “strengths”. I dress the way I want to, carry myself the way I want to, and kick ass just how I planned.
Life is not perfect. Far from it. Still, I have a clarity I have never had before in my adult life. A clarity that came from absolute fearlessness when it came to the desire to have a functional existence.
It’s incredible how your journey through mental and emotional struggles has shaped you into such a resilient and supportive parent. Your honesty about hitting rock bottom and facing uncomfortable truths is inspiring. It’s clear that your experiences have given you a unique perspective and strength to help your child navigate their own challenges. Do you think sharing your story more widely could help others who might feel alone in their struggles? How did you find the courage to stop caring about others’ opinions and focus entirely on your own well-being and your child’s? Your clarity and fearlessness are truly commendable—do you have any advice for someone just starting on a similar path toward mental and emotional recovery? Would love to hear more about how you balance self-expression with the challenges of daily life. What’s next for you in this ongoing journey?
Your journey is truly inspiring and a testament to the power of perseverance and self-reflection. It’s amazing how your own struggles with mental health equipped you to guide your child through their challenges. I wonder, though, how you managed to maintain that fearlessness and clarity during the toughest moments? Did you ever feel like giving up, or was there something specific that kept you going? Your perspective on not caring about others’ opinions is refreshing, but how do you balance that with staying open to feedback or support from loved ones? Also, do you think your child’s strength and independence are a direct result of your approach, or did they naturally develop their own resilience? I’d love to hear more about how you navigated those early years when things felt so uncertain. Your story makes me think about how much our struggles can shape not just us, but those around us—do you believe everyone can turn their challenges into such a powerful force for good?
Wow, your journey is truly inspiring. It’s amazing how you turned your struggles into a source of strength, not just for yourself but for your child as well. I can’t imagine how challenging it must have been to navigate those psych wards and still come out with such clarity and purpose. Your fearlessness in facing the toughest parts of your life is something I deeply admire. It’s clear that your experiences have given you a unique perspective on mental health and parenting. Do you think your child’s own resilience is a reflection of the tools and support you’ve provided? I’d love to hear more about how you’ve managed to maintain that balance between self-care and caregiving. How do you keep that fearlessness alive, especially on the harder days?