Lessons I learned in 2021

2021 was the year that tested me the most, and after fighting so many demons and silent battles. I knew I couldn’t do it alone any longer. It was time to ask for help. So much growth in 2021 was surrounding my mental health. Most, if not all of these lessons I learned this year happened because I started going to therapy. The best decision I made in 2021, and I wish I had done it sooner. Here are the lessons I learned in 2021.

Mental health is the most important thing; stop putting it on the back burner

After finally taking action and seeking help for my mental health, I truly feel like I am in such a better place than where I was this time last year. It’s such a relief to feel like your mind isn’t fighting a battle every single day.

Being a parent is the most exhausting thing in the world

You can love your children more than anything in the entire world, but no matter how much you love your children, it doesn’t change the fact that being a parent is the most exhausting job you will ever have, and it’s okay to admit that it’s hard. 

It’s okay to not be okay, but it’s not okay to stay that way

I am allowed to have bad days, and I am allowed to cry and feel sorry for myself. The most important thing is that I don’t allow myself to stay that way for a long period of time.

Asking for help isn’t easy, but it’s 1000% necessary

Asking for professional help is the best thing I have ever done for myself, and I would encourage anyone who has ever ‘considered’ seeing a therapist to try it before saying no/it’s not going to help.

Feeling emotions will bring more relief than ignoring them

I am a creature of habit and hate to stray away from consistency and routine – I have always hid and ignored my emotions for various reasons, and after seeking professional help, I realized that pushing my emotions to the back burner wasn’t helping me deal with them. It only made them harder to deal with if and when they would come up again – and they always did. 

Stop fighting how you feel and just allow it

I have learned to allow the bad days to happen. Allow the feelings to feel and allow the tears to flow – but also know when and how to turn it off

You will never miss out on something that is meant for you – even if it comes in a roundabout way

As painful as it is to not have things turn out the way you want them to, I am still a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, even if it takes longer than you want.

I can do hard things

I never thought I could have faced all of the demons and emotions I faced this year. It was hard, but my fight is harder
 

I will always look back and be so grateful I made it through the tough times

There are some days that I feel like I will never see the light at the end of the tunnel. But after all the battles I’ve fought this year, I have always been grateful for the storm that brought the rainbow.

Understanding the past can bring clarity to the present

Truly digging down deep and trying to understand my past and my past relationships/situations has brought so much clarity to understanding who I am today.

There will never be enough time – stop assuming there will always be more

Between 2020 and 2021, I think we all have learned that change happens quickly, and we have all realized that there simply isn’t enough time. Make the most of every single day you are given.

You are not crazy to feel how you feel

Don’t ever judge yourself and your feelings. Your emotions and feelings are valid and important, even if they are different. 

It takes a lot of strength to pull yourself out of a dark place mentally

The hardest thing I ever did was recognize that I was struggling, and then facing my problems head-on.

Change will always be scary, but it is necessary to help you grow

I stepped out of my comfort zone in so many ways in 2021, and they all helped me grow into the stronger version of who I am now.  

Writing is my best form of therapy

Writing was always something I enjoyed, but it wasn’t until last year that I realized writing does a lot more for me than just helping get my feelings out.

Talking to someone can provide a huge relief

As much as I love to keep my feelings to myself, being able to get them out and talk to someone about them provided a huge relief for me.

Take breaks to enjoy things you love

This is something I am still trying to force myself to do, because it is much easier said than done.

I am allowed to ask for help even for the things that I feel like I should be able to handle myself

I still believe that I should be able to handle everything on my own, but that simply isn’t the truth.

“You are allowed to be gentle with yourself while you learn to make sense of things this season”

I saw this quote and had to include it in this blog post. I am my toughest critic; always have been, always will be. Learning to be gentle with myself and my feelings is still very much a learning process.

It’s okay to admit that you cant do everything alone

Asking for help is KEY for me to be the best person I can be.

You will not be stuck in your struggles forever

As painful as it may seem, and even though you may think you will be stuck in the same place forever, every day is a new day, and a chance at a new beginning.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health check out my blog post “How To Support Someone Struggling With Their Mental Health”