I’ve read before that mental illness should be viewed as a gift, and while that struck me is a big fat load of BS, it did prompt me to give some thought to things that I have gained from my illness:
- greater empathy and compassion
- greater understanding of mental illness
- makes me a better nurse
- has helped me to be less judgmental
- has made me more open-minded and accepting
- has given me a greater appreciation of wellness, happiness, and hope
- it inspired my masters thesis and several published academic papers
- it has put me in a better position to challenge stigma
- it has allowed me to access a sense of community and belonging among mental health bloggers
- it has pushed me to take a closer look at my thoughts and emotions
- it has made me take a more holistic view of managing health problems in general
What have you gained from your mental/physical health challenges?
The Reflecting on Powerful Words guided journal matches amazing quotes from people like Maya Angelou and Winston Churchill with prompt questions that relate to each quote as well as beautiful images. It’s available free on the MH@H Store.
I love that, I think I gained of the strength for live!
💕
Great list, as we cannot ever undo what has been done, the next best thing is to take some positives from every experience.
Many of your list apply to me, I would also add that I’ve learnt to be more compassionate towards myself and the importance of self-care and of looking after my own health/well-being. I also understand myself more, my emotions, my motivation, why I am this person, I may be flawed and imperfect, but this is me! Additionally, I only write because of what I’ve been through, especially my poetry.
Oh and one last thing, having my husband standing by me through all these years, I appreciate him and our relationship more than maybe I did before.
Those are all very good things 🙂
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It can be hard (very, very hard sometimes!) to see what good can actually come from such experiences and mental (or physical) illness, but it’s quite eye-opening to do. I totally agree that it’s put me in a better place to challenge stigma, too, and it’s made me more passionate about mental & physical health and raising awareness, and I’m also far more empathic and open-minded, too. Great post! ♥
Caz x
Thanks! I think it’s easy to lose sight of the good things, so useful to remind ourselves once in a while 💕
This is a very nice post. (M and the gang)
This is a great post. I had never written anything before my illness. Then I wrote a poem and shared it with one person. Suddenly I felt a gift of light from the darkness that I was mired in. I don’t believe I would have become a writer if not for my illness. I have also learned to be much more authentic and vulnerable with others. Thanks for sharing and the prompt. 💞
Thanks! And by the way, just finished your book and loved it! Review will be coming up next week 🙂
Thank You!! 😊
Me too! I’d never written before either. It’s like all I’ve been through has sparked the creative side of my brain.
And I must the creative side of your brain is doing very well these days! Sorry for the delayed response. (damn you WordPress!!!!!!)
Discussed it with my GP and he thinks my brain has been reprogrammed from logical scientific to creative!
So interesting!
Out of the darkness… ❤️
I didn’t realize until recently how important it is to have a sense of community. There’s a weird sort of comfort that comes from knowing there are other people out there struggling with the same issues and discrimination.
I agree.
Great post, Ashley Leia!!
I totally agree, Esuriit. When I was a teen and young adult, there were a few times I was in the mental hospital, and the camaraderie with the other patients was instantaneous. No one liked me at school or church, but put me on a mental ward, and we were all bonded somehow.
Thanks 🙂 I also experienced that in hospital, although it wasn’t something I ever would have expected.
to be honest
very little
i aspire
to non of the virtues
you mention above
i vacillate
between anger
and self pity
learning slowly to love tho
Ashley, I seriously share your list although some can’t apply since am no nurse… lol. I have both PTSD and RA and so I can appreciate from both mental and physical illness perspective. There is a big gap widened by stigma and blablabla. I love my life as is though and wouldn’t wish to live it differently
Nothing could be more important than being able to love your life as it is. Sorry for the delayed response – WordPress has been acting up!
Oh Ashley, no need to be sorry for anything right? We all get our moments and yes WP acts up too. Wish we could say it got so synapses every now and then lol. I so love Jim Carrey’s painting titled: Dare to be seen in all your Glory. I buy that 500%
Patience, compassion,empathy , community, and kindness. Also the necessity of learning self-care. I definitely take better care of myself now.
Good ones. Yes, self-care is hard to truly appreciate until it requires a lot of conscious effort.