I’ve had over 125 therapy sessions.
I’ve read hundreds of books on mental health.
I’ve spent hundreds of hours listening to podcasts and interviews about how our brain works, and the effects of trauma.
You’d think by now I’d have it all figured out, right?
But if there’s one thing I’ve learned through all of this, it’s that mental health is never something you “finish” or “solve.” It’s an ongoing journey.
You go to the gym for 1 week, are you finished?
How about 1 year? Are you done now?
How about 5 years? Can you stop now?
I think you get my point.
Just like physical fitness is a life commitment, so is mental health.
On World Mental Health Day, I am reminded to check in. With myself, and with others that I know are struggling. But I don’t need to wait for this day to check in.
For me, it’s about so much more than just one day. It’s about the hundreds of small, personal moments when I realize I need help, or when I push through a tough day, or when I pick up a book or podcast to find some new insight that might help me understand me a little better.
I started therapy 3 ½ years ago, thinking it would be a fairly quick fix. But here I am, still learning, still unlearning, and still showing up for my sessions. Attendance is everything.
The truth is, every single one of those 125 sessions has given me something new—whether it’s a deeper understanding of myself, tools to handle stress, or simply the space to breathe and feel heard. Sometimes it feels like I’m just scratching the surface, but that’s okay.
Mental health isn’t about having it all figured out.
It’s about progress, not perfection. Some days, I feel strong and in control. Other days, I feel like I’m barely hanging on. And that’s all part of the process.
Reading all those books and listening to all those podcasts hasn’t given me a magic answer, but it’s helped me see that I’m not alone in this, and that mental health is something we all need to take care of—whether we’re in crisis or just trying to maintain a healthy balance.
Today is a chance to reflect on my own journey, to recognize how far I’ve come, and to remind myself that it’s okay to still be working on things.
Every therapy session, every page of a book, every conversation has contributed to my growth. It’s all part of the process of becoming more resilient, more compassionate, and more aware of what I need to thrive.
So, if you’re out there thinking that your mental health journey should be faster, easier, or less messy, let me tell you—it’s not about speed or perfection. It’s about the small steps, the moments of clarity, and the times when you show up for yourself, even when it’s hard.
Happy mental health awareness day.
PS. That’s a picture of me and my amazing husband, taking care of our mental health in the backcountry. Nature is also everything.