Unfortunately, just like many Americans, I have suffered from issues relating to mental health. For me, many of those issues were a result of a series of physical health problems I had faced year prior, with many after-effects still impacting my life during my senior year of High School. 

In a way, I was going through an identity crisis. For my entire life until then I was a swimmer, and that shaped my entire life. From what I did every night, how I prioritize my day, and what I did on the weekends. My swimming was even how I found the college I am currently attending for my undergraduate degree. When I had those health complications, I had to quit swimming. I would take periods of time off from swimming and working out in order to help my body recover, then every time I would begin to practice again, my health would decrease, and once again I would have to stop swimming. 

Because I hit a hard transition from intensely working out four hours each day to not working out at all, I had become agitated with all the energy I was no longer able to work out. This would cause me to feel symptoms of anxiety, however, at the time I did not know what was developing. Also, because swimming was my greatest stress reliever, I  no longer had a place to think and clear my mind. Therefore, I began overthinking a lot more than I already had. I have always been a rather stressed person, but without an outlet to let everything go, I did not know what to do, and it all started bottling within me. 

Long story short, I had become rather anxious and depression. To be blunt about it, it was awful. It impacted every single moment of my life. I would wake up, not wanting to go to school, go to school, nearly fall asleep in my classes because of the little sleep I received the night before. With time and a lot of self-reflection, I was able to work through it gradually. 

By no means am I thankful for having to experience it. But I am thankful for the time that I did. It was my last year in high school, so I had a good amount of freedom to do what I wanted. I also knew that I would be getting a fresh start rather soon when I left for college. In addition, looking back on it, it was a good time to face that, because who I am was not fully developed. I was still evolving, and I still am. 

Now, being much more on my own than I was in high school, being in a serious relationship, I know who I am and what I need in order to be happy and maintain a positive attitude. But more importantly, I know my signs. I know when I am at risk of slipping back, and I know what I need to do to prevent that. I am rather lucky I believe that I was able to have those realizations on my own. 

It is so important to know that everyone is different. What one person needs can be vastly different than another. What triggers one person can be vastly different. It is important to know who you are and what you need. That may take some time; it took 3 years of ups and downs for me. But once it is all figured out, it’s great. 

Watch our Virtual Panel Series by Debbie Motivates on Taking Care of You here.

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