Each May, during Mental Health Month, I pause to think on the path I’ve traveled. My mental health journey has not been linear. It has been filled with misdiagnoses, invisible struggles, and a quiet strength I never knew I had. For many years, I lived under the label of Bipolar II. In 2022, I received a new diagnosis: Major Depressive Disorder, generalized anxiety, and social anxiety. That diagnosis brought a mix of relief, sadness, and clarity. It helped explain the persistent emotional and physical exhaustion I had been pushing through for so long.
Living with depression and anxiety has shaped every part of my life. There are days when simply getting out of bed feels like a major accomplishment. Sleep doesn’t always come easily. Chronic pain and overwhelming fatigue are constant companions. Social anxiety makes it especially difficult. While I can sometimes handle small group settings, larger gatherings or unfamiliar social situations are incredibly draining. Even casual conversations or unexpected interactions can send my anxiety soaring.
This has made it hard to form or keep close friendships. I have lost people along the way, and some have distanced themselves after finding out about my mental health challenges. It’s painful, but not uncommon. The stigma is still very real. Many people simply don’t understand, and that lack of understanding can lead to isolation for people like me.
There came a time when I had to make serious changes in my life. I no longer force myself to keep up with the demands of a traditional work schedule while sacrificing my well-being. I needed a different pace, one that allowed me to manage both my physical health and mental stability. It wasn’t easy, and it came with difficult decisions, but it was necessary.
In the midst of managing my mental health, life brought another unexpected challenge. My husband and I inherited a hoarded house after a family loss. Cleaning and preparing it for sale became an enormous physical, emotional, and financial burden. We spent countless weekends and some weekdays sorting through decades of accumulation. It was physically painful and emotionally exhausting as we tried to do everything ourselves without proper support. Many days, I worked through both grief and physical discomfort, knowing I had little choice but to keep moving ahead. I often pushed through pain and exhaustion because I felt there was no other choice.
Despite all of this, I have continued to move ahead. What I’ve learned on this journey is that healing isn’t a straight path. It’s full of setbacks, small victories, and moments of strength that often go unseen. I’ve learned how important it is to give myself grace. I need to stop measuring my worth by productivity or by what other people think. Some days, just showing up for myself is enough.
If I give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be this: You are not broken. You don’t have to pretend to be okay to be loved. It’s okay to ask for help, and it’s okay to put your health first.
My journey led me to NAMI. I was searching for a space where mental health was discussed openly. I wanted it to be without shame. I wanted to hear from others who understood what it felt like to live with depression and anxiety. I also wanted to be a part of something that offered real support. Through organizations like NAMI, I found stories like mine, and I also found purpose.
Mental health is close to my heart because I know how many people suffer in silence. I know how lonely it feels to be misunderstood or dismissed. I want to be a voice that says, “You’re not alone.” I created The Tangled Mind Haven for this reason. It is a space where I can share my truth, no matter how messy it is. Through this platform, I hope to encourage others to speak up, seek help, and find hope.
When loved ones or friends are struggling, I try to listen first. I remind them that it’s okay to feel how they’re feeling. They don’t have to carry it all alone. I’ve learned that presence means more than advice. Just being there, without judgment, can make a world of difference.
If I had to sum up my mental health journey in one word, it would be resilient. Not because I always feel strong, but because I continue to rise even when I feel like I’m falling apart. I continue to write, and advocate for those who are still searching for their voice.
Supporting mental health is personal for me. It’s in my story, in my heart, and in every effort I make to reduce stigma and build understanding. I hope my story reminds someone else that even through the fog, we can still find light.
By Kimberly Andrews | The Tangled Mind Haven
The Tangled Mind Haven 