Sometimes it feels like I am two different people, living two completely different lives. On the one hand, there is the is the 33-year-old woman who is career-focused, savvy, and content with her life. On the other is the girl who was abused by her father for years and tried to kill herself at 13.

In my late twenties, I was diagnosed with PTSD, Depressive Disorder, and General Anxiety Disorder. It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders in that moment with my doctor. I knew I had been very sick and unable to function for most of my twenties, but giving a name to my struggle made it so much easier to deal with. Until then, everything I thought about mental health and depression was based on shame and misinformation. Finding out how much of a mind-body connection it is has helped me reclaim my life and feel well.

What has helped me the most, shockingly, is talking about my struggle. Going public on my Instagram helped me immensely. For one, it helped me find community and kindreds. I cannot stress enough how each person's journey with mental illness and mental wellness is different, but if you can get to a point of transparency about what you are going through, the benefits are deep and real. Every day, I work hard on being mindful, avoiding triggers, and focusing on my health. It didn’t seem possible before, but it does now, and that is what I want to share. It is difficult, it is painful, but it is possible to improve your mental health.