Changing Perspective: A Personal Journey Towards Redefining Mental Illness to Wellness

So I was listening to a podcast with this lady lecturing about human’s mental circumstances and she kept emphasizing the idea of mental illness. And it kept me thinking maybe if we shift perspective in addressing these words we might have better resolutions with our mind issues.

The way we use words has so much power. So much so that it can change the way we look at things around us.

Then as I journeyed through the labyrinth of my own mind, navigating the twists and turns of my mind’s anxious experience, I couldn't help but wonder: what if we shifted our perspective? What if we embraced a language that spoke not of illness, but of wellness? This question sparked a revelation within me, igniting a passion to redefine the narrative surrounding mental health.

The term "mental illness" carries with it a heavy weight, laden with stigma and misconceptions. It evokes images of brokenness, of something to be fixed or hidden away. But what if we viewed our mental health through a lens of wellness, as an integral part of our overall well-being? By renaming it "mental wellness," we shift the focus from pathology to empowerment, from darkness to light.

For too long, society has perpetuated the myth that mental health exists on a binary scale: you're either "sick" or "healthy," "normal" or "abnormal." But the truth is far more nuanced. We all experience fluctuations in our mental well-being, akin to the ebb and flow of the tide. It's a spectrum, not a dichotomy, and every shade deserves recognition and support.

Embracing mental wellness means embracing the full spectrum of human emotion, from the depths of despair to the heights of joy. It means acknowledging that our struggles do not define us, but rather, they shape us into resilient, compassionate beings. It means fostering a culture of empathy and understanding, where we lift each other up rather than tear each other down.

By renaming mental illness as mental wellness, we reclaim ownership of our narratives. We reject the notion that our worth is tied to our productivity or perceived "normalcy." Instead, we celebrate our unique journeys, recognizing that vulnerability is not a weakness, but a strength.

So let us embrace mental wellness with open arms, knowing that by doing so, we not only heal ourselves but also pave the way for a more compassionate, inclusive society. For in the end, it's not about erasing our struggles, but rather, embracing them as integral parts of who we are.

That’s all for today’s early thoughts, ladies. Thank you for reading up to this point. See you again.