2020 has definitely proven to be a year full of unsettling events. A global pandemic, political unrest, racial divide, and violent riots. Where have you found yourself mentally throughout this year?
Despite the vast challenges of the year, 2020 has also proven to be one of the deepest soul searching years. At least for me! With far more time to myself amidst quarantine and shutdowns, I, like so many others, have been forced into God’s will of being still, and knowing who He is in my life.
This unexpected season of isolation has forced me to address questions and thoughts that for so long I was too busy, or too distracted, to address. Questions like: What are my callings? What are my passions? What are my talents? What is my vision? What hurdles do I still need to leap over? What path am I walking down, and where is it headed? What am I actually doing to positively impact my community? Thoughts like: I don’t have value. I am so far behind everyone else in life. I just don’t compare.
As we wrap up this unique year, I knew that I needed to face these questions and thoughts head on. So, last month I packed up and headed to Arizona and Utah for a 4 day get away into the beautiful mountains and canyons of the mid West. I spent 4 days surrounded by beautiful nature, soaking in (mostly) quiet moments. Nature has always managed to be a safe place for me to address my racing mind. And, because I believe the reminders and messages imprinted on my heart in that time truly do matter, I want to share my takeaways with you!
Mental Health Matters
We can only run away from our thoughts and mental distress for so long until it all catches up to us. This season of quarantine and stillness reminded me that it is so important to be in tune with my mental health. Why run from the obsessive thoughts, questions, insecurities, fears, or doubts when running only leads to more distress down the road? I am hopeful that the future me will look back at 2020 and say, “That was the year that I finally took control of my mental health and began actively putting mental health as a top priority in my life.”
There is Always Hope
I wonder if I am the only one who has taken comfort in the fact that literally the entire world is experiencing this pandemic together. I can’t remember a point in my life time where literally the entire world was shut down, and sharing one common experience that united us all. Despite the death, the pain, the uncertainty, the fear, this commonality has brought me great hope. But not just pandemic hope. This season has taught me that even in the absolute lowest and darkest of valleys, if we keep our eyes open we will see and experience something that will help shape us into better people. This is true for OCD as well. Good things can come from OCD and other hardships. We just have to open ourselves up to seeing that goodness, to feeling that hope.
We Are Not Alone
My heart breaks as I hear the rising statistics of suicide rights during this pandemic. I personally have heard of 3 suicides just in my social circle. And though I cannot speak for the deceased, I do sense a commonality of loneliness and isolation at the basis of these situations. But what I find interesting, is that even in their death, they were apart of a larger suicide community. What that has taught me, is that whatever we are struggling with, chances are that others around the world have experienced, are experiencing, or will experience similar struggles. But how will we know if we are unwilling to share our struggles openly? Which leads me to my last takeaway.
Awareness is Everything
Whether it is us as individuals being aware of our own struggles and needs, or being aware of the needs of others around us, we are our healthiest as a people when we are aware. Awareness does not just happen by itself. It only follows vulnerable openness. When we open up about our struggles and needs, not only do we become aware of resources to help or other people experiencing similar struggles and needs…but others become aware of our struggles and needs as well. Awareness has become my greatest mission through this blog and other platforms. I believe awareness holds the power to bring true healing, true unity, and true growth.
What has 2020 taught you? I can only hope all that we have learned and taken away from this year will lead us into a much healthier environment for 2021, despite any challenges that continue or arise.
Obsessive. Compulsive. Disordered. 