Written by Serena
Dear Self,
The last fifteen years have not been kind to you. Scratch that. I’ve not been kind to you.
Do you remember the first time that I let you reach close to rock bottom? Twelve years ago was it? I let you run away from everything; let you escape from the demons that had started swirling around you although you had no clue that they were really there. I abandoned you when you truly needed me.
I remember laughing when you were diagnosed as Clinically Depressed, thinking that together, we had managed to fool everyone into giving us an easy way out. We would soon be back in our comfort zone, away from having to strive towards any type of success. This would be just the thing you needed – an excuse to get away with not being that focused, goal-oriented individual everyone wanted you to be. All the stress and problems would just…melt away with an excuse to get back into life when you felt like it.
How wrong I was. The world did not understand the situation the way you did – and the stigma that often accompanies mental illness was released in full force against you. It also turned out that you really were Clinically Depressed after all. The convenient excuse to use on the form at the registration office for why you were leaving the school, had become all too real. The therapy you were being forced to go to was real. The pills that made you sick and made you feel like nothing on a daily basis, were also real. The monsters that we originally did not realize were really there were indeed real.
I am sorry that I let you down that year and let you quit on life and on yourself. I refused to let you believe that treatment was necessary and convinced you that between us we could do it all on our own. I rejected all forms of treatment due to a lack of medical confidentiality by my therapist and then, more pertinently, self-importance and insane-belief that it was all over.
There was no way that you would be one of the “crazy ones”. I would not let it happen if it killed you.
And kill you it almost did. Do you remember the night you spent on the cold concrete floor in the overgrown playground, willing the ants to bite you just so that you could feel something other than the insanity? Remember hiding from those who were worried and searching for you in the middle of the night? Remember ignoring them calling for you with pain in their voices? I made you believe that you were the one who was truly in pain, even though physical pain would have been better than the deep, all-encompassing misery that threatened to rip out your insides and settle onto your psyche. Even though you were causing others more pain than you could ever imagine you could.
It almost killed you. It almost killed everyone you loved. You almost lost everything that night, all because of me.
It wasn’t the last time that you were reduced to a quivering mess by your monsters. A few months later, you lay in your unmade bed in your new one bedroom apartment, back in Toronto, all alone, crying and praying all night. That’s when God decided that it was time to send help – maybe because you needed it, maybe because He was fed up with you ruining every opportunity He had sent your way.
He sent that angel from heaven that you prayed for earnestly. Gone was the therapy, the medication was refused, but you had someone who would put up with the tantrums, wipe away the tears, hold you when you were rocking on the floor hugging your knees to your chest and haul you back into the realm of sanity when needed all without any request of an explanation.
It worked.
At least, I thought it did.
Then he had to leave. Temporarily, but for a long time. And although you thought you could handle it, I let you down once more.
Just when you thought that the demons were gone, they awoke from their hibernation. They had been waiting for you to be vulnerable again, waiting for me to let my guard down, checking every once in a while, they were more than over-joyed to see us so weak. Strengthened from their long rest, they attacked more aggressively and violently than before, rendering you almost helpless.
That’s when I let you down again. I didn’t fight for you. I let them overcome you, and when the psychiatrist gave you the bad news, that the demons had multiplied into Dysthymia, Major Depression, Agoraphobia and Anxiety Disorder, I ignored you and let the demons reign and run rampant. For two months I ignored you and refused to fight. I ran away, preferring to believe that it were not true than to face the truth. I was a coward, once more. If the psychiatrist had not called and pushed you to get a prescription you’d probably have starved yourself lying on the rug, staring at Food Network re-runs. All because I refused to let you do anything else.
Yes, I saw you; but I was scared. So terrified of what was happening that I gave up on us both.
I saw you fighting the pain, but refused to help for fear of losing myself and for that I’m sorry. I let you get lower than you’ve ever felt. I let you feel guilty for letting this happen again after so many years. I let you beat yourself up daily until it made you so sick that it is a miracle you were able to find a way out. I have to admit I did not think you had the strength, because I didn’t, and I apologize for believing you to be as weak as I.
You struggled, but you survived. You found your way to a place of acceptance and chose to face the monsters head-on. You are much braver than I. As much as you hated the pills, you found alternative ones and they helped by bringing you to a place where you could accept help and challenge the monsters to daily duels. You discovered that therapy could indeed be helpful by helping you to pinpoint the monster’s sustenance and aiding you in removing their fuel.
You opened yourself to the possibility that you could live with the monsters, but keep them in the background of your psyche, questioning every word they whispered against your success. You examined your life to see what was attracting these monsters to you – in the end you found out that you care too much what society thinks of you and realized that you could not see through the fog everyone else was creating to see what you truly wanted; to see what you were truly proud of. You realized that you had an unrealistic view of you being perfect and that the critic, perfectionist and victim within you were running rampant and needed to be reigned in. You realized that you have to make decisions on your own prerogative, rather than what your parents, society or your colleagues have to say.
You saw your options.
You saw doors, long dusty and cobwebbed that had always been there; still wide open for you. You found a possible way out and found your strength and held on to it, fighting to survive. You are starting to envision a new life, a new path – one that makes and keeps YOU content. You have written yourself a new destiny and hung it from a pole in front of your face so that you are always walking towards it – all on your own, with no help from me.
I am so proud of you.
You have prevailed despite all the pitfalls that face us, all the negativity surrounding us and all the monsters haunting us. Yes, I admit that every once in a while I have seen you falter, but you always pick yourself up and that in itself amazes me. You have a determination that I have never seen before, one I would not have ever admitted was within you until now.
You are in charge and you are the one who makes the choices for your life.
You’re driving now, lovely. Make it count, and never fall again.
Love always,
Someone you used to be.
Photo Credit: Helga Weber
Journeysof TheZoo
Well written. I loved the angle. It appears that facing your demons has changed your life. I’m sure that it’s also changed others.
One of my favourite quotes (it’s on my deceased son’s baptism certificate); “The Life and Death of each of us has an Influence on Others” ROM 4:17. Thanks for sharing and having an influence on me.
All the best in your journey, Sarah
Bewildered Bug
Thank you so much for all your comments guys – this is very close to me and is the first time I’ve actually told my entire story here which took me a lot of time to work on. This is not easy for anyone with a mental health illness – and I hope that this just helps people realize 1) what it is like and 2) that maybe just maybe that person needs a hug or a kind word instead of being shunned.
Bewildered Bug
Sorry Sarah, I was completely not 100% sure how this commenting system worked – I thought I was sending a reply to everyone, not just your post. That is a beautiful quote and it is so true. I am facing my demons and loving it – finally. Like I said 15 years or so – a long time to be running away. Here’s to the future for us both 🙂 <3
Patricia
Thank you for sharing your story with the world. I am in ♥ with a wonderful man, who suffers everyday with his “demons” Thank you for helping me get a glimpse of his reality. Good luck to you in your journey.♡
Paula Schuck
Great and brave piece Serena!
Paula
Bewildered Bug
Thanks Paula <3 It took a long time to write and a lot of support from Trish at Mental Health Talk.
Positively Pampered Patty
Wow. Serena, so beautifully written.
Bewildered Bug
Thanks Patty – love you.
SoberJulie
Oh Serena your heart is so beautiful, so real and worthy. Thank you for sharing it with the world, your words here will help someone who is stuck in that dark place we so often forget….
Bewildered Bug
Thank you for your gorgeous comment Julie, you know I admire you daily and all that you go through and fight for. I hope this helps at least one person realize they are not alone, that they can manage their mental illnesses just by turning inwards and concentrating on their true values and true wishes….they just need to remember who they are and reach for what they want to be.
Multi-Testing Mommy
You are such a talented writer!
It must feel a bit free to admit these things to yourself.
You are strong.
You are worth it.
You are loved.
Keeping going girl!
Bewildered Bug
It definitely is – it is so freeing just to be able to admit to myself that this is what I’m going through and this is what I am fighting for and that I’m being successful (even though I do have my down times) at fighting this and at creating a life for myself. I think that’s what I want to get across – that it is possible to face this head on and succeed and that, like any other struggle, you will have your down times, but you just have to keep getting back up. Thank you for your comment and your support.
Deals From MS Do
My dear friend, I am blessed to call such a brave and talented woman as you my FRIEND. Always TRY to remember that you are WORTHY of EVERYTHING that life has to offer!
Bewildered Bug
Thank you Lovely, that is so sweet to say! I cherish our friendship as well and hope one day we can take it OFFline (that came out sounding dirty but it’s really not)!
Denise G
Thank you for sharing! Mental illness needs to be talked about openly – so people understand and are not afraid to ask for help. Unfortunately there is a stigma with it – but those walls need to be broken down.
Bewildered Bug
Yes, I think recently I read that 85% of people with mental illness do not get diagnosed or seek help, most because of the stigma surrounding it. What we have to teach and learn is that even if there is stigma, your mental health problems are worse untreated – just like any physical illness that you may come across.
Lisa
I find myself reading this with tears in my eyes… your words transported me and put me in your shoes, if only for a brief moment. I’m sorry you suffered such stigma; you’ve risen above it though and are braver and stronger than ever, ready to inspire others facing the same demons. Thanks for sharing.
Bewildered Bug
Thank you Lisa, I’m sorry I upset you. The purpose of my writing on mental health is to do exactly what you said – put you in my shoes. Realize what it feels like to be on that side of “crazy” – and to realize that those suffering with mental illness need help to be strong – not ridicule or ostracization (is that a word?).
Earla Dunbar
Great writing. You fought and you will keep fighting – you will win!!!
Bewildered Bug
Thanks Earla – I believe so too 🙂 With all the support I’m getting here alone I know I will. With the help I’ve gotten I can see a future – and because of that I will win. I can only wish others will be inspired to go get help and win in their lives too.
Jack Hope
Wow. I am blown away by the honesty and hope expressed in your letter.
It’s inspiring and I hope others who come across this will also feel inspired. We can overcome.
Bewildered Bug
Thanks Jack – you’ve made me blush. I like to live my life honestly and often get admonished because of it – but if I can’t be me, then who will I be? That’s exactly what I want people to realize, not to be ashamed of who you are. If mental illness is part of you, face it head on and manage it – get the help you need and enjoy your life despite it.
Lee Horbachewski (@SimpLee_Serene)
Serena,
This is powerful. The inner wisdom, knowledge and self-awareness are so evident. The love you have shared in gifting your teenage self with this wisdom is truly heartwarming and touching.
Thank you for sharing your heart in such an deep vulnerable and courageous way.
WOW
Hugs & Love Lee
Bewildered Bug
You know I love you Lee! Thank you so much for your kind words here and elsewhere and for supporting me every time I need it. I appreciate your work as well – and can only hope to one day be as inspiring as you are!
Rachel Miller
Fabulous letter- well done you.
Bewildered Bug
Thank you Rachel – I hope it struck a chord with you 🙂 Feel free to contact me if you have any queries about it 🙂