If you’re having a hard time:

I want to let you know it really does get better. It might not feel like it right now, and it may take some time, but I promise, This Too Shall Pass. There are people that love and appreciate you more than you will ever know, and there is so much more to life than what is going on right now. Some of the best days of your life are still ahead of you. Do not give up. You can do this.

Please use the guide below if you’re having a hard time:

If you are in the middle of a crisis, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline “988”

  • Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call “988” Available 24/7

  • Crisis Text Line: Text “HOME” to 741741 Available 24/7

    • The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available at all hours of the day, 365 days a year. It is a Toll-Free Hotline with Patient Confidentiality and you won’t get in trouble for texting/calling. You’ll be automatically directed to a local center, based on the zip code you’re calling from, and can talk to a trained crisis worker for as long as you need.

If you need a friend to talk to, reaching out can be hard. Know that you are not a burden and people truly love, care, and appreciate you. Try texting a friend with one of these prompts:

  • Hey, I’m going through it rn, do you have some time to talk?

  • Hey, I really need a friend rn. Can you call me?

  • Hey, I need help. Can you call me?

Battling with mental health at its core is re-training your brain to get out of negative loops/patterns, and re-wiring the chemicals in your brain.

A couple things that have really helped me with this:

  • Therapy and Talking to Your Friends

  • Doing things you love

  • Get outside and appreciate nature. Look at bugs, wildlife, smell the flowers, hug a tree, and look out at the landscape

  • Soaking up as much sun as possible

  • Exercise. A lot. Cardio combined with lifting or body-weight exercises

  • Making conscious mindset shifts

  • Listen to upbeat music that makes you wanna dance. Sing and Dance around the kitchen even if you don’t want to

  • Surround yourself with people you love and make you feel loved. Or spend time alone. But balance both

  • Meditate and stretch. There are some great guided meditations on YouTube for just about anything you can think of

  • Turn your phone off and delete social media for 1 week minimum

  • Make yourself a good meal

  • Go on a Hot Girl Walk : I added some things to this, and after a couple iterations it became my Mindset Shift Checklist (see below)

Mindset Shift Checklist:

The following is meant to help get out of negative thought patterns. It has really helped me and I want to share it w/ you!

I like doing this while I’m on a walk:

  • Get outside. Don’t look at the ground, observe and take in your surroundings

  • Take 10 long deep breaths. Imagine that you’re inhaling stoke, peace, good energy, or whatever you need at this moment in time, and exhaling bullshit with each breath

  • List, say out-loud, or think of 10 things you think are beautiful, or you appreciate

  • List, say out-loud, or think of 10 things you’re thankful for

  • List, say out-loud, or think of 10 things you’re looking forward to

  • List, say out-loud, or think of 10 things you love about yourself and how fuckin cool you are

  • Give yourself 20 genuine compliments

  • List, say out-loud, or think of 10 people in your life that you know care about you and make you smile. Try to recall, down to the little details:

    • Your favorite memory of each of these people

    • Times they made you laugh. Try to recall what it was that made you laugh

    • When they made you feel most loved

    • What your favorite things about these people are :)

  • List, say out-loud, or think of 10 times you accomplished something or got through a hard time

  • Re-assure yourself that you can do it

  • Listen to “If I Can’t” by 50 Cent

New to Therapy and don’t know how to get started? The article below is a great place to start. Finding a therapist can take time, and finding the right therapist for you, your needs, your budget, and your insurance can take a couple of iterations.

Mental Health is something a lot of people struggle with, and there isn’t usually one cure-all. What works for one person may not work for someone else. Keep trying different things and find what works for you. It’s worth it. I promise.