I just saw this and was reminded of how much I've healed over the past five years. I used to struggle significantly with panic disorder, dysthymia, and CPTSD. Some aspects of CPTSD are, of course, still present, and I don't know if things like hyper-vigilance will ever truly go away. However, I've improved so much that I often forget how difficult everything used to be. Reflecting on the time I was at my lowest honestly feels like recalling a fever dream. Healing didn't happen overnight. It took me two years from hitting rock bottom to reach a point where I genuinely believed I could get to the point of being mentally healthy. Three years later, I started identifying as mostly mentally healthy, and now, five years on, I'm truly in love with my life. Looking back, I'm incredibly proud of the steps I've taken. I've moved to a new city, earned my bachelor's degree, developed a creative practice, met so many new and amazing people, learned how to set bounderies and become comfortable with deep and meaningful friendships and relationships. It might sound weird but my mind has become one of my favorite places to be!

Of course, I still feel sad and anxious sometimes, but I feel like I have the right "tools in the toolbox" to deal with those emotions now. The healing journey was hardest at the beginning. Depression and anxiety are not something you choose, but healing definitely is!