The Perks of Dealing with Poor Mental Health
In a Japanese film I recently watched, two coworkers are sitting in an apartment in the evening, reading books about PMS together. One of them asks the other about the benefits of dealing with poor mental health.
When I heard this question, I had to pause the movie for a good 20 minutes to think about it.
What are the positive outcomes of dealing with poor mental health? I suppose it can be the desire to see the dawn and daylight or to understand ourselves better.
One character in the movie mentions that her body became more flexible because of the yoga she does to reduce cramps during her period. I can relate to that.
Another character says that despite experiencing panic attacks many times, they still scare him; his body and mind never get used to them. They bring fear and create distance between him and his ex-girlfriend, coworkers, previous lifestyle, city, and even his beautiful apartment. However, he learned more about himself, connected with his body, and gained a new life.
From what I've heard from others, dealing with poor mental health helps increase awareness of mental health issues.
Dealing with mental health issues has stopped me from doing many things. For example, after an accident and the trauma that followed, I wasn't able to talk to new people. I have a limited number of interactions I can handle each day. If I work that day, I can't speak to anyone else. I've had to set strict boundaries to take care of my personal space, which is one of the perks I've gained.
For me, the perk I gained from dealing with poor mental health is the ability to fall in love with myself without shame. I've gained the courage to accept my feelings, even the negative ones, without shame. I've learned to face myself, learn about myself, and truly understand myself.
Other perks I've gained from dealing with poor mental health include becoming extremely conscious and discovering that I am aromantic, realizing that I don’t need much attachment to anyone.
If everything happens for a reason, then this must be true for dealing with mental health issues. I found myself removed from many projects, thrown under the bus repeatedly, and taken advantage of while managing my physical and mental health after the huge accident. Yet, there wasn't a single ripple in my heart—I simply acknowledged those moments as the best times to leave. It's never easy, but each betrayal made me face myself, each setback made me shameless, and each challenge ultimately protected me.
Everything has two sides, and it's essential to see both.
all copyright reserve ©Cordelia Shan
