May – Mental Health Awareness Month

May holds significance for me, not only because it marks my birthday, but also because it is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month. During this time, it is crucial to delve into the true meaning of mental health. While mental illness and addictions form a significant aspect of it, I believe it encompasses more. Mental health includes experiencing burnout from work, grappling with the challenges unfolding in the world, feeling overwhelmed, enduring a pervasive sense of exhaustion, and even encountering bouts of anger and irritation.

We all encounter moments of feeling adrift, as if we don’t quite belong, or uncertain about what lies ahead. In my observation, these emotions and thoughts have become more prevalent, particularly after the pandemic and the recent wave of tech layoffs. I witness them in my family, my friends, my children’s acquaintances, and even in strangers I encounter during my hikes or while shopping.

It is crucial for us to embrace and acknowledge our feelings without shame, whether they manifest as sadness or anxiety. We all experience these emotions; some more frequently than others. Personally, I understand these sentiments all too well—I have experienced burnout, anxiety, and irritability. However, I have also learned how to distinguish between these feelings, embrace them, and allow them to pass through me.