Hey guys! This is a topic close to my heart and why not break the ice, talking about one of the hardest things to talk about in today’s society: mental health.

Where to start? I grew up with a mentally ill mother. She is bipolar, an addict, and abused my brother and I.. tragic I know. But we all live with our own “thing.” Watching her struggle to sustain a job, sleeping with men to pay our rent, a disastrous home, being kicked out and manipulated into coming back, was difficult to say the least. I spent many years wondering why I was brought into this world just to, well in my eyes I thought, suffer. But now I realize I’m here to make a difference. To share a story. To make a difference.

Do any of you find his relatable? Trying to hold onto the one relationship we deem as the most important, but having to let go at and early age and walk through life’s struggle alone to save your own peace?

I was lucky to have an amazing dad that never encouraged me to cut ends with her, but to honor my own feelings. He was my support system and my friend, still is. I don’t know where I’d be without him and I don’t know where I’d be if I hadn’t struggled for so long either.

but for a long time I’ve worried … could I turn into my mother? You see it’s a family trait, on her side to have poor mental health. Bipolar, anxiety, depression, you name it. Every time I get upset over anything, I question is that rational? Every time I question my own feelings or consider making a life change, am I being impulsive? I don’t know how to trust my own feelings or actions and often times get sucked back into what I find to be the most comfortable and it’s unhealthy, but I’m working on it. Day by day.

I’ve found so much comfort in reading, writing – poetry especially, exercise, and hanging out with my pup Lucy. What brings you all comfort? What helps you through these internal struggles that end up changing your external environment?