The story of my mental health challenges

In my youth, I lacked self-esteem and grappled with distress, anxiety, and worry. Back then, discussions on mental health and emotions were scarce, leaving me clueless about how to cope and where to seek help.

Having no other option, I decided to push myself out of my comfort zone. Growing up in the countryside, I had to relocate to Reykjavík for my secondary education without knowing anyone. Although initially challenging, I gradually formed acquaintances and friendships and realized that I could thrive in this new environment.

For a while, I challenged myself this way, gradually building confidence by stepping out of my comfort zone and realizing that I could succeed in unfamiliar situations, boosting my self-esteem. Despite this progress, I felt the need for more, prompting me to begin interview therapy with a counsellor at the age of 25.

During the treatment, I discovered two crucial insights. Firstly, the counsellor inquired about my thoughts during moments of distress. Initially, I was puzzled as I believed my thoughts were ordinary. However, upon closer examination, I recognized a pattern of negative thinking.

It quickly dawned that dwelling on negative thoughts about myself all day was unproductive. I constantly feared that I lacked the necessary skills and qualities, such as intelligence and creativity, to succeed in what I was doing. This realization made me understand the need for self-improvement and the importance of changing my mindset to be more self-compassionate.

During a counselling session, I was also questioned about my physical and emotional state, prompting me to realize that I had been harbouring unexpressed feelings such as anger and sadness without even being aware of it.

Understanding my thoughts and emotions was extremely helpful. This experience taught me different methods and tools that improved my self-awareness. However, this was just the beginning of my journey towards self-improvement, as I needed to continue working on myself even after therapy sessions ended. Continuing to focus on personal growth is a normal part of life.

Realizing the significance of self-reflection for our mental well-being is something I wish I had done earlier. Each of us has individual needs, so what may be effective for one person might not be for another. There's no need to compare ourselves to others or imitate their methods.

Understanding what strategies work best for me during challenging times is essential to my mental well-being. Does engaging in physical activity, journaling, spending time outdoors, or listening to music help me cope?

Self-improvement involves gaining insights into oneself. It involves recognizing when solitude is necessary and when seeking support is beneficial, knowing when to handle tasks independently, and knowing when to seek assistance.

Although I feel better now than I did in my teenage and young adult years, it's essential to acknowledge that life presents various tasks and challenges. Seeking help when needed is perfectly acceptable.

I continue to visit a counsellor when facing difficulties or going through a rough patch. There is no shame in prioritizing self-care, just as one would seek medical attention for a physical injury.