Don't let it define you.
But I think that's also easier said than done.
I've met folks who
are really just struggling to function
in their day-to-day life.
And for me to walk up and be like, “Oh, don't let your schizophrenia
define...” Like, that's just rude, right?
That does not have empathy.
But I think I would say that I think trying
to find multiple avenues of support,
trying to find spaces where you can
really discuss it and find community around it.
Because I think every
person's journey with mental health is very unique
and there can be a lot of power in having
that shared language and just being in a space
where you're talking and you can just see people getting it.
Right? Like, I'm not really having to explain it.
I just say a word and everyone is like, “Yup, yup, got you.”
You don't have to say anything else, totally understand.
Just the power of that community I think can be a game changer
to start learning, okay, right now I feel like
my mental health is defining me, but maybe through talking about it, through
hearing lived experiences,
all of that, I can start changing that and moving into a space of "I'm
a person living with..." whatever, whatever it is, right?
But I'm not letting that diagnosis
define every every part of me.