I’d be naïve to believe that therapy will solve all my problems. But over these past few years, I’ve found that talking to someone on a biweekly basis keeps me somewhat sane. 

Therapy isn’t always easy; it can be time consuming, mentally draining, and overwhelming at times. Sometimes you need a break from it all. Which is exactly what I did last year. 

During my “we’re on a break” moment, I noticed a significant change for the good and the bad. Life felt more free due to the lack of responsibility for any of my thoughts, feelings or actions. The downfall to that was I never controlled any of my stress; which turned me into a ticking time bomb. 

Due to the constant stress and certain circumstances in my life, I realized I needed therapy back. I needed that one consistent thing that would not add stress to my life, but take it away. 

My therapy sessions always start with me ranting about the piles of homework or figuring out why I had a mental breakdown over baking cupcakes. We then dive into the things I want to improve on, and the hour always goes by way too fast. 

But if I’m being honest, I don’t always want to go. Sometimes I just don’t feel mentally ready to talk about my problems with someone. Because the sole thought of talking stresses me out. 

The thing is with therapy, it’s about finding what works. Some people like to go every week, while others only go once a month. But the most important thing I’ve learned with therapy is you have to be honest; just like anything else, what you put in it is what you get out.

Today’s youth struggles with anxiety and depression more than any other generation. American culture has taken that shift from quality to quantity. This has lessened the value of communication. No one takes the time to slow down and talk about their day anymore. 

We have lost family dinner conversations. Which has increased our anxiety and depression, because what is causing stress or sadness is not the test you failed. It is instead the little things in life that are pushed out of thought; it’s the fact that your shoes didn’t match your outfit or your best friend has ignored you all week. And without talking about our day with someone, we are no longer able to get to the root of our problems. 

We bottle all of our emotions and let it ruin our day, weeks, and lives. 

So this is my cry out to all: it’s okay to go to therapy, and it is okay to not be okay. Just talk to someone. I promise you that you will feel just a little more okay.