The Real Truth About Mental Health: It's Messy, But You’re Not Alone

Okay, let’s cut to the chase—mental health? It's messy. There, I said it. You know it. I know it. But here’s the thing: no one tells you how real it gets. We all know the basics—therapy, self-care, positive affirmations—but nobody talks about what happens when none of that stuff actually works. When you’re staring at the ceiling at 3 a.m., wondering if you’ll ever feel like yourself again.

I get it. I’ve been there. And I’m here to tell you that it’s okay to not have it all together. You don’t have to be "fixed" to be worthy of love, success, or joy. So, grab your coffee (or wine, I’m not judging) and let’s get real about the messy, beautiful, and often hilarious truth of mental health.

Let's Talk About the ‘Perfect’ Mental Health Myth

Spoiler alert: It doesn’t exist. There is no magical moment where you wake up, feeling 100% in control of your mental health every single day. If anyone tells you otherwise, run. Like, literally run. Because that’s some BS.

Here’s the truth: mental health isn’t a destination—it’s a journey. Some days, you’ll feel like you’ve got it all figured out. You’ve got your meditation, your journaling, your affirmations down to an art. Then, on the other days? You’re curled up in a blanket burrito with your phone on “do not disturb,” wondering if you should Google "how to survive another existential crisis."

And you know what? That’s okay. I’ll say it again for the people in the back: That’s okay.

The Ugly Truth: Some Days You’ll Just Need to Ride the Struggle Bus

I know, I know—you’ve seen all the self-help gurus talking about “being positive” and “manifesting your best life,” and sure, that’s great. But there are days when you feel like you’re being dragged through the mud, and no amount of “Good vibes only!” is going to help. So, let’s be real here for a minute.

Some days, you just need to ride the struggle bus—with a large iced coffee in hand and a playlist full of sad songs. No shame. You’re not failing when you feel like this. You’re just human.

Remember, healing isn’t linear. It’s like one step forward, two steps sideways, a few back, and occasionally, you end up running in circles. And that’s where the magic happens.

So when you feel like everything is falling apart, just know that you’re not the only one. We're all in this together—riding that rollercoaster, hanging on by a thread, and hoping the ride doesn’t break down mid-loop.

Embracing the Chaos (and Laughing About It)

Here’s where the magic happens: the humor. You see, humor is the ultimate coping mechanism. I mean, if you can laugh at the mess that is mental health, you’re already winning.

Imagine this: you’re deep in a mental health struggle, having an emotional breakdown in your kitchen, and you look up to find that your dog is staring at you like you’ve lost your mind. And you know what? You kind of have. But instead of letting that moment drown you, you laugh.

You laugh because life is unpredictable, and sometimes, laughing is the only thing that can bring you back to yourself. In those moments of chaos, humor reminds you that you’re still human. You’re still breathing. And that counts for something.

High Achievers, This One’s for You

I get it—high achievers, perfectionists, people who feel like they need to have it all together at all times. You’re the ones who keep pushing, striving, and chasing the next big thing. But guess what? You’re also the ones who crash and burn when you least expect it. It’s like you’re driving at 100 mph, and then suddenly, you hit a brick wall of burnout. Sound familiar?

But here’s the truth you probably don’t want to hear: You don’t have to do it all alone. Mental health isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being real. About showing up—even when you’re feeling less than stellar.

So, give yourself a break. You’re doing the best you can. And sometimes, the best you can do is simply be—without expectations, without perfection, and without the constant pressure to achieve.

Releasing the Shame

I know what you’re thinking: “But Sarah, I should have it together. I should be better at managing my mental health.” First of all, stop right there. Should is a word that needs to be banned from your vocabulary. If you’re constantly telling yourself you “should” be doing better, you’re just piling on more pressure.

It’s time to let go of the shame around your mental health struggles. There’s no shame in feeling like you’re struggling. There’s no shame in needing help, taking a break, or having a real human moment. Mental health doesn’t have to be a perfectly curated Instagram story—it’s messy, raw, and sometimes, downright hilarious.

So, the next time you feel like you’re failing because you don’t have it all together, just remember: you're not alone. We’re all in this together, embracing the mess and showing up anyway.

You’ve Got This, Even on the Bad Days

At the end of the day, the most important thing to remember is this: You’re not alone. You’re not the only one who feels like their mental health is a rollercoaster ride. And you’re definitely not the only one who feels like they don’t have it all figured out. Because none of us do.

So keep showing up. Even on the bad days. Even when it feels like everything is falling apart. Keep going. Keep laughing. Keep breathing. And above all, keep being you—messy, imperfect, and unapologetically human.

And when you need a little extra reminder that you’re not alone on this journey, preorder a copy of my book Poems for When You’re Falling Apart (and Still Showing Up)—it’s full of raw, real, and sometimes hilarious poetry about surviving mental health struggles.

Final Thoughts

Mental health isn’t something you can fix overnight. It’s a journey, a process, and most of all, it’s messy. But it’s also full of growth, healing, and—yes—laughter. So embrace the chaos. Laugh at the absurdity of it all. And know that you’re doing better than you think.

You’ve got this. Seriously.

💚

Sarah