24/11/2023
I am a diagnosed manic depressive (high functioning bipolar) and live with a ridiculous amount of anxiety daily. I look okay most days, even when I’m not. I take my meds, I don’t talk to a therapist because I can’t afford to, but I practice self-care every day. As much as I am able.
I have been a martial artist since the age of nine. I have studied Karate in the US and Japan. My training in martial arts has helped me tremendously, the camaraderie and trust that comes with training with good people can not be stressed enough. I am very thankful for my martial arts training, it has made me the person I am today.
It isn't always easy. I literally struggle daily. Some days are really, really hard. And that's okay. I do the best I can, from day to day, knowing that my best will be different from day to day.
The stigma that is attached to mental health kills people. The myth that someone with depression is "just sad", the admonishment to "just cheer up", or even worse “man up”, hurts people. It kills people.
So, in my small way, I'm here to stand up for myself and anyone who needs it. We are sick, we aren't weak. We do not have to suffer in silence
My dudes, (and I am specifically talking to men, right now), you are not weak. You are not alone. You are not less of a person because you have a mental illness that you can't control.
I know that at least one of you knows you need to call your doctor or have a conversation with your partner about your mental health. I know that you've been waiting to find the last bit of courage to take the first step down a path toward living your best life.
Maybe this is the thing that encourages you to make the call or have the conversation.
I love my life. I've worked so hard to have the life I have, and I've done it all with pretty serious and occasionally debilitating mental illness. If I can do this, so can you.
I adapted this from a post by for and added my personal experience and twist. I hope he will forgive me for stealing a lot of his words...
