You are not your anxiety

One very important thing I’ve learned while dealing with depression and anxiety is that there will be people in your life who will not understand what you are going through. That is okay. Maybe it is because they’ve never dealt with mental illness before and it’s difficult for them to empathise.
If I miss parties or meetings, if I’m quiet or I don’t write is not because I don’t care about my loved ones. It’s because I’m dealing with my fears, my insecurities and using all the strength I have in me to try and lead a normal life. It is draining. It is exhausting. I have to make an effort to function like everyone else.
At some point, if you don’t make yourself a priority, no one else will. Some people might get offended, some people might think you’re selfish…but don’t let those people get to you. Be kind to yourself, be forgiving and carry on in the best way you can.
I do not have to apologize to anyone for this. And if you’re in my shoes, and dealing with mental illness, you don’t owe anyone, anything. Not a single thing.
