Fighting mental illness can sometimes make us feel stuck or trapped. It’s hard to notice how much progress we’re making. Progress is subtle; each day we fight is another day closer to recovery. However, because it’s often small and gradual, it can be hard to see just how far we’ve come.
We reached out to you, our beautiful Voices of Hope community, and asked you to share something that you’ve recently done that felt like progress. There were so many amazing accomplishments shared, and we are SO proud of everyone who has made progress in their journey and continues to choose hope. Sometimes, choosing hope is the progress.
What’s one thing you’ve done recently that felt like progress?
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Made it
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Reached out to others to let them know I’m struggling
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Listen to my body when I felt I needed rest, and cancelled a non-important appointment
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Celebrated small wins
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Kept going when it was hard
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Being gentle with parts of me that one felt ‘too much’ or ‘not enough’
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Got out of bed and washed my hair
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I got myself well enough to attend an inpatient program
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Went out for coffee with some friends
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I answered a question in my history class!
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I asked my doctor to increase my meds
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Recognised I was starting to go downhill before I hit bottom this time. So now I can adjust
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Changed jobs to something actually related to my degree
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I submitted an assignment before its due date!
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I’ve downloaded ‘I am Sober’ and have decided to try stay clean from self harm
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Started to do things I used to do again
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Committing to ED recovery and going to a treatment clinic
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Took a train by myself
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Got out of bed and washed my hair
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Attending a university social event
These are just some of the moments you’ve shared that felt like progress. Know that any progress is still progress; if it’s something that you might not have been able to do previously, be proud of yourself. And if you’re here, reading this now, that’s also progress. Keep going and showing up for yourself.
Voices of Hope wants you to know that you do not have to do this alone. Click here to 'find help' - it's not weak to speak!