This blog post was written by someone who is actively coping with depression and anxiety. The author describes how he conceptualizes managing his mental health as a steady journey rather than an uphill battle. By adopting this positive outlook, the author has been able to take several meaningful strides forward in his journey towards mental wellness.

We hope this story resonates with you. If you are experiencing challenges similar to the ones described in this post, please know that we are here to help and support you should you need it.

These are uncertain and unprecedented times, and taking care of ourselves and others now involves an entirely new set of challenges. I might sound like a broken record at this point, since the same message is dominating everything from our Twitter feeds to the Honda commercials in the unskippable Youtube ads (although I respect their marketing team for trying their darndest to sell new cars during a lockdown), but the words ring true all the same. Constant reminders about the turbulent state of the world, in both our everyday lives and the media we consume, can make it difficult to focus on our own mental health and wellness. Managing one’s mental health is hard enough as it is, so with many of us feeling like our lives have been turned upside down by this pandemic, it has become easier than ever to feel overwhelmed and alone.

However, I prefer to think of managing my mental health as a journey rather than an uphill battle. As with any journey, there is value in progress; no step forward is too small as long as it brings you closer to your destination. Even during stressful times, when it may feel as though the distance is too great, there is still tremendous value in every forward movement. You don’t have to embark on your journey alone, either; it is absolutely acceptable to reach out for help if and when you need it.

In my personal journey towards wellness, I often found myself downtrodden by what I saw as a lack of progress. When you’re feeling low, it can be quite easy to feel like you’re swimming in place while the water gets thicker with every stroke. This often leads to feelings of helplessness and frustration, which can cause you to question the point of even trying. 

However, hopelessness is not the only option when you are gazing upon a destination that seems worlds away. You can instead choose to shift your perspective in order to see the beauty of progress. Observing, valuing, and properly rewarding yourself for every little bit of forward motion can make the results of your efforts seem a lot more worthwhile. Although any individual steps may seem small compared to the total distance you have to cover, it is still substantial compared to the step before it. For example, little things like making your bed, folding that pile of laundry in the corner, taking vitamins (I’ve used the pandemic as an excuse to stock up on the gummy ones shaped like Spider-Man), flossing regularly enough to stop looking like a vampire after Christmas dinner every time you do it, or even just getting up and taking a shower instead of attending zoom meetings in PJ’s all day are just a few things that could be considered steps towards feeling better. While they may seem straightforward, each act marks vital progress in a long journey taken one day at a time. 

These small steps are more important than ever during this pandemic, when many of us still find ourselves confined to our rooms and houses, working and learning from home when we once went out every day. Normalcy might seem miles away at this point, especially when we are interacting with the world around us so much less than usual. This removal from life as normal, not to mention the added stress of today’s current events, can really intensify the feelings of “swimming in place” I mentioned earlier. The little things matter now more than ever. After all, making your bed in the morning has a much greater impact when your bedroom now doubles as a home office, gym, classroom, and occasional dining room (maybe that last one is just me). 

All of this might seem a lot easier said than done to some. Others may feel like these sorts of routine activities are too small to be considered a part of some epic life journey. Ultimately, the steps that feel like progress will vary depending on the person. But the important takeaway is this: to attain the feeling of forward motion, you don’t have to overcome a series of arduous tasks. Obviously some of the hurdles will be more difficult to conquer than others, but to value even the smallest of victories can help make things feel a little less daunting. And remember – you don’t have to take this journey alone! Asking for help or reaching out for support is always an option.

Throughout my personal journey, I have been incredibly fortunate to have my family as a constant source of support, even through my darkest moments. I know that not everyone is quite so lucky. However, that doesn’t mean that anyone has to undergo these struggles alone. There are plenty of people and resources available for those who need it, and seeking out and utilizing them is by no means a sign of weakness. Everyone needs help sometimes, and it is totally fine to admit that. But just as important as learning to reach out when necessary is learning to be there for others when they need it. Simply asking someone if they are okay can mean the world to someone who is struggling to keep moving forward in their journey. We can achieve so much more when we are helping and caring for one another, and more often than not those that we are there for in their times of need will be willing to do the same for us when the time comes. 

As the cast of Disney Channel’s High School Musical first proclaimed and the pandemic commercials have now stated again and again, “We’re all in this together.” While this phrase may seem overused, it is still important to keep in mind. The journey towards attaining our wellness goals can be long and taxing in ways that might make giving up seem like an attractive alternative, especially when problems arise that are so much bigger than us. But every step of the journey counts, and progress is just as valuable as the destination. Even the little things are capable of vastly improving how we feel about our day-to-day routine and overall progress. This shift in perspective, I’ve found, can be incredibly useful in helping me achieve better wellness and overall mental health. Sometimes, by slowing down and ceasing to worry about each step as an individual achievement, we can begin constantly moving forward towards a larger goal. These are difficult times, but just because we are physically separated doesn’t mean we have to go through things alone. Be well. Be there for each other. And remember – there is tremendous value in progress, no matter how small.