Are you battling alone?

For a long time, I believed mental health challenges were something to keep hidden.

A private battle.
A taboo.
Something to manage alone, behind closed doors.

And so when I began battling my own, I felt I had to hold it all together.
Don’t show too much. Don’t speak up. Just keep pushing through.
I convinced myself no one would understand - and worse, that if I opened up about my anxiety and panic attacks, I could lose my job.

So I stayed silent… even when the noise inside was deafening.

But healing for me didn’t begin with silence - it began with connection.

Everything started to shift when I stopped pretending I was fine and started letting people in.
I found spaces where I could talk - and people who would truly listen.
I saw others model vulnerability, and it gave me permission to do the same.
And slowly, I was lifted - by a community of people who didn’t need me to be ‘perfect’, just honest.

Today, I’m surrounded by close friends and loved ones who support me when things feel heavy - and, of course, my beautiful pup Coal , whose cheeky smile never fails to lighten my mood.

If you’re feeling alone or unsure where you belong, please know this:

💬 There are people out there who will welcome you exactly as you are.
💬 You don't need to mask your challenges.
💬 You are not alone.