Sharing My Mental Health Struggles Is Part of My Journey

Am I happy? Do I deserve to be? I've heard there is no guarantee, but where do I look for happiness? Will I know what it looks like? Can I manifest more of it?

As a human placed on this earth to find my way, I sometimes struggle. I’m not a mental health expert. I don’t have answers. But what I do have is a need to talk about my challenges. As a female, entrepreneur, accounting technologist, mom, wife, and friend, it’s hard to keep up, and I’m not always up to the challenge. Sometimes, a bath feels like the better idea.

My work is draining, and I occasionally lose the energy to enjoy the fruits of my labor. Coming to grips with who I am is part of my quest to find peace. It’s okay to celebrate my strengths and admit my weaknesses, too.

Getting Naked

My quest will be a very public... and naked approach to finding myself. Have you read Getting Naked: A Business Fable About Shedding the Three Fears That Sabotage Client Loyalty? This profound book states that to gain comfort and trust, you must expose the truths of who you are and what a person can expect from you to find trust. Over the next few weeks, I will be embarking on a journey that feels very exposed. I will share (maybe even overshare) my daily struggles on social media. Selfishly, you will all be my accountability buddies and my hope is that my vulnerability will be a voice you can find comfort in by knowing whatever it is that you personally are struggling with, that you are not alone.

COVID

Yes, that five-letter word we all hate hasn’t gone away for most. Life is different post-COVID. The way we interact has changed, and speaking about mental health has become more common. The need for psychotropic medications, substance abuse, and suicides have all dramatically increased. The pandemic forced everyone to talk about mental health because everyone was suffering. My goal is to continue that conversation in the accounting community by bringing light to mental well-being.

I’ve always been a glass-half-full person, but COVID brought to the surface a truth I’ve been unwilling to give attention to, I have anxiety. My anxiety is enhanced by ADHD. My head is a very loud place to hang out. There is a three-ring circus running in my head, complete with dancing elephants, trapeze monkeys, and fire-breathing lizards. The constant noise makes it difficult to be my best self. My heart’s desire is to be in the present moment, but with so many internal conversations and flashing lights, it’s a constant battle of will.

Strength in unity

Leaning on my college days, I find it fascinating and reassuring that people with similar experiences are also afflicted with similar emotional perplexities. I loved Sociology, which revealed the truth that groups of like-minded people can often heal each other. My accountant self is plagued by perfectionism; the entrepreneur in me is overwhelmed by the endless numbers of hats, and the complexities I face as a female all need healing.

Anxiety, burnout, and depression

Staying late, working early, and over the weekends is not good for your well-being. A few years ago, I committed to stop overworking, and instead, I devised a plan for a 3-day work week. Trust me, a 4-day weekend makes a big difference in my overall mental health. The next part of my journey is to befriend my inner self to find peace.

My search for peace

Because I know I have ADHD, I need time to process. I am my best self when I have alone time and allow brain space for my inner circus monologue to perform through my thoughts and define my goals. By giving myself space, I can do something important to me, which is actively listening and being present in the moment.

Moments of solitude can seem scary when I know I’m not living in alignment with my soul. By unplugging for 20 minutes a day, I am more mindful of my needs. For me, when I get off work and before I start my evening life I need to decompress. Removing myself from the day’s activities gives me the opportunity to take a break and be present with those I love.

Tune in

It’s better with a friend.

During the next few weeks, I will be sharing my daily on Instagram and weekly on Facebook, as well as writing for the Woodard Report journey. My journey will include many ways to better our mental well-being, which include:

• Embracing solitude
• Exploring mindfulness
• Staying active
• Gratitude journaling
• Meditation
• Embracing nature
• Cultivating positive relationships
• Kindness to self and others

My hope is for us all to grow in community as we boldly say we are not alone in our search for inner peace and balance. Mental well-being requires attention, love and nurture.

I would be honored to have you join me as I explore the quest for mine.