Another Saturday night home alone, and again, I’m ok. It’s two and a half weeks into 2022, and I’m pleased with my progress. I wasn’t expecting miracles, however, I have made progress with my physical health, and I have interviews set up this week. In addition, my appeal hearing for unemployment is in a few weeks and I have plans on filling out other applications. These things have me motivated to continue to think positive and move forward with the outlook that only great things are in my future. This enables me to continue to focus on loving me, doing all I can to tune out the negativity, and focus on what works in order to block out the enemy when he rears his ugly head.
One thing that I had to do in order to prevent myself from backtracking was protecting my mental state. I refused to believe everything that everyone else said about me. See, when there is an unhealthy state of mind, it is easy to allow self-doubt to creep in. I stopped trying to strive for perfection. Realizing that only God is perfect, I continued to pray and discern my purpose. This required me to clean from the inside out. I had to begin with the mind first in order to tackle all of the other issues. I realized that although the failed relationships were not my fault, the fact that I had stayed in them for as long as I did was my fault. Had I taken care of my mental health so many years ago I would have never entertained many of those relationships or would have ended them long before I did.
When mental health issues are not addressed, we carry trauma, brokenness, hurt, etc. from one relationship to another. We tend to engage in toxic relationships and usually stay in them too long. Truly removing the mask (make up) on the outside and having an emotional detox in order to clean up the inside gave me a sense a peace. I spoke life into myself AGAINST my enemy that said, “you don’t know my story, it’s you, not me, No, I don’t have it all”. Make-up, wigs, etc. only serves to mask or cover up the outer appearance. What’s wrong on the inside remains broken and often gets worse, because we can’t build on a messy foundation. We also can’t make the inside better simply by making the outside pretty.
Finally starting from scratch, I looked in the mirror, saw the sparkle, the Dance back in my eyes, and I knew that I was proud and confident of the natural beauty that stared back at me. I cut my hair. My skin is glowing! My natural hair is shorter than it’s ever been, and I wear no make-up other than a little lip color. I’m Shining Through Natural and New in 2022. I’m happy with what I see now, as I once was.
What people do not realize is that we all have to care for our mental health just as we do our physical health. What we take into our minds such as the toxicity of a relationship, abuse, trauma, etc. can be the onset of mental disorders. There are also some disorders that can be birth related. Because of the stigma associated with mental disorders, many of the disorders that can be managed or treated often go untreated and worsen. There are many commonly known disorders that most people do not associate with mental health in order to avoid the truth about their status.
Mental disorders consist of a wide range of conditions that affect mood, thinking and behavior. The most common types of mental disorders are :
Clinical depression persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life activities.
Anxiety disorder feelings of worry, anxiety, or fear that are strong enough to interfere with a person’s daily activities
Bipolar disorder associated with episodes of mood swings ranging from depressive lows to manic highs.
ADHD chronic condition including attention difficulty, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness.
Schizophrenia affects the ability to think, feel and behave clearly.
Obsessive compulsive disorder obsessive thoughts that lead to compulsive behaviors
Autism serious developmental disorder that impairs the ability to communicate and interact.
PTSD difficulty recovering after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event.
This is intended to be informational only. If you suspect that you or someone you love may be experiencing any of these disorders, please seek the help of a physician or mental health professional.
Dyingtobeperfecterfect.com is defying the stigma of mental health, especially in the black community. Mental Health matters.
Dying to be Perfect 