There’s a phrase I see lots when I’m scrolling by means of social media or discovering psychological well being assets on the Web that at all times will get me considering. The idea behind all of them is that you simply (or I, or anybody) is “greater than” their psychological sickness. So for example, I’m greater than my despair; I’m greater than my nervousness; I should be identified for greater than experiencing psychological sickness. And whereas I do suppose it’s a useful method to shrinking the stigma, this sort of method – overcoming obstacles, “beating” psychological sickness – continues to be troublesome for me to handle. That’s why I need to supply an alternate phrase to make use of at this time, and see how of us prefer it.
I perceive the sentiment behind I’m greater than my despair, and I feel it’s an effective way to shrink the stigma for many individuals. However over time, I’ve had problem separating myself from my despair. Most days it feels prefer it’s as a lot a part of my as my physique, my limbs, and the remainder of my persona. Different days it seems like a companion that’s following my each transfer, as if we’re on a journey and despair is my hapless sidekick (although it’s something however hapless). Even on days the place it isn’t so current, I can really feel it hovering over me like a cloud.
I needed to discover a manner to attract that line within the sand for myself. That despite the fact that I’ve despair, despite the fact that I stay with despair, that isn’t all of who I’m. And in order that’s the place I landed: I’m not my despair. It’s a press release, a reminder. Although I don’t at all times know who I’m, this makes it clear what I’m not.
Melancholy is part of me. It’s one thing that sits with me day-after-day. Some days it’s dormant, resting, nearly non-existent. Different days it wakes me up within the morning and tucks me in at evening. However after years of pressured handholding, I need to acknowledge my challenges whereas opening the door to extra.
I’m not my despair, I’m not my nervousness, I’m not anybody factor. I’m an individual, a human, and my psychological sickness doesn’t outline me. But it surely is a crucial a part of me. And I’ll proceed to share that, unbothered and unashamed, as a lot as I can. And I encourage anybody else to do the identical. We now have energy in our tales, and the extra we take cost of these narratives, the extra it’s doable we are able to change them.
