What does mental health mean to me?
Taken literally, it’s having a healthy mind.
But what does that entail?
Basic functioning, of course.
Hygiene, jobs, leisure, and responsibilities.
A contributing member of society and familial units.
Cooking, cleaning, caring for others.
The Basics.
Then, we go deeper, to
healthy relationships and habits.
How?
Your relationship with yourself comes
first and foremost.
Others come and go,
but you always deal with yourself.
So why don’t we make it easier?
Loving yourself and who you are will make life much easier—
and more enjoyable, too.
After (or let’s face it, sometimes as) you learn to
love yourself,
you’ll find friends along the way.
Like-minded people.
Get healthy with yourself (or start that journey,)
and others will naturally join you.
Every day you make choices.
It’s not a one-time thing.
One choice. Every day. To
love yourself.
How?
Figuring out the lies we tell ourselves,
challenging them, and
replacing them with a new, healthier thought or truth.
Recognize that feelings are not Truth.
Truth is this:
We are all human, and as such,
we have certain things we are entitled to.
Love and belonging.
We are all worthy of these things.
Grace when we make mistakes.
We are human and imperfect.
Shit happens.
And when it does—
either we are too hard on ourselves, or
others are too hard on us.
We all deserve grace and understanding.
And the final Truth?
We are enough exactly as we are.
Oh, there’s always room for improvement.
But the key to happiness lies not
in the future we strive towards, nor
the past we replay, but
in the present moment.
Breathe. Feel the air expand your lungs.
Enjoy the feeling of being simply
Alive.
Love yourself and you will believe Truth.
Knowing Truth makes basic functioning less of a chore.
Others are drawn towards Truth-seekers
and often relationships— both
platonic and romantic—
benefit from the foundation of
Worthiness.
And it all starts with:
Love.
Fiction Author Hayley Green 