I’ve been putting off writing this first blog post for god knows how long. Out of fear of not being smart enough, wise enough, witty enough. People like to put labels on this phenomena, whether calling it perfectionism, or having an avoidant personality, procrastination, heck, sheer laziness. But I know I have a story to tell, and I’ll find a way to find the right words whether it takes me an entire lifetime, and whether or not a single soul reads it at all.
I’m obsessed with trying to make every little detail perfect. I believe it makes things better, more worthy of attention and praise. And I’m not wrong. It does make things better. But I guess what I’m not comprehending is that things really don’t need to be perfect. Things just need to be consistent. We overestimate what we need to do in the short term, and severely underestimate the big picture. People burn out before they should because they are trying to perfect something that doesn’t need to be perfect. And they end up giving up because they can’t keep up. Most things don’t need to be perfect. They just need to be done.
My goal for this blog is to tell my story, share my mental health journey, and show to whomever is willing to read this diary of sorts that there is definitely light at the end of all dark tunnels. In my recovery and on the road to finding myself I find great comfort in art, -both consumption and creation-, physical activity, literature, cooking, photography, all of which I plan to share with you. I hope to share my success stories, as well as my (many) failures, with everything that goes on in between. Remember folks, progress is definitely not linear. Let’s normalize that once and for all, okay?
I’ve realized that vulnerability is at the heart of all growth. If you strip away the desire to be flawless, what remains is the real, raw, and messy journey that shapes who we are. It’s in the messiness, the imperfection, where we truly connect with others. So here I am, finally letting go of the need for perfection and instead embracing authenticity.
There will be times when I’ll get it wrong. I’ll write something that doesn’t resonate with you, or maybe I’ll post a photo that isn’t as well-composed as I’d like. And that’s okay. Because in the end, what matters most isn’t how polished things are, but whether they’re true to who I am in that moment.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that healing isn’t a destination—it’s a continuous process. Some days are filled with clarity, where everything makes sense, and other days are foggy, where I feel like I’ve taken ten steps back. That’s just part of the flow of life, and it’s something I’m learning to accept.
As I document my mental health journey here, I hope to create a space that’s not only for me but for anyone who’s felt stuck or overwhelmed. A place where we can talk about the highs and lows, without the pressure to always be ‘okay.’ We’ll celebrate the wins, big or small, and also acknowledge the setbacks, because they’re equally part of the story.
If there’s anything I’ve learned through my experiences with anxiety, self-doubt, and the occasional bouts of depression, it’s that nothing stays the same forever. The tough times may feel never-ending, but they pass. And when they do, they leave behind lessons, strength, and sometimes even a renewed sense of purpose.
I want this blog to serve as a reminder to myself—and to you—that we don’t have to go through life alone. That there’s immense power in sharing our stories, in being heard, and in finding community with those who understand.
So, here’s to progress, however slow or uneven it might seem. Here’s to showing up, even when it’s hard. Here’s to embracing the imperfect, because that’s where the magic happens.
Thanks for reading, and welcome to the journey.
Love, V
