Having A Mental Illness Is Like Having A Full-Time Job

I may not be working or studying right now and I was going to be extremely harsh and mean to myself today about it… but then I remembered something someone once told me years ago while I was crying to her on the phone…

She said, “Nancy, having a mental illness is like having a full-time job.”

And that really stuck with me.

People have made fun of me and been extremely hurtful towards me when noticing that I struggle with small tasks. I, unfortunately, have followed in their behaviors and been a bully to myself for not being like everybody else.

But today as I was struggling to exist, I remembered those wise words. And let’s be real… she’s right. Having a mental illness is like having a full-time job.

Mental illnesses can be crippling, exhausting, and require a lot of hard work and honesty to live with and to understand, let alone to manage and to heal. Every day activities that require little to no thought to healthy people are extremely daunting and tough to complete for someone who is struggling.

Today, I could only give 10% but you know what?

If I only have 10% to give and I give that 10%… then I AM giving 100%.

Somedays I will be able to give more. Some days less.

So if you can only give 1% today and you give that 1%… give yourself a round of applause because that’s a lot to give!

I know society wants us to be more, do more, give more, have more, but I want to remind you that “Even to live is an act of courage” (Lucius Annaeus Seneca).

Thank you for showing up today!