Letting go of the past is breaking free from what was. It’s breaking a free from a cycle to move forward from dwelling on what you used to have and moving on to something new. Finding yourself stuck in the past is a part of being human. We aren’t perfect and make mistakes, and sometimes those mistakes haunt us for days, months, and even years. Let’s explore what drives us to get stuck in the past and ways we can move forward.

When I was 18, I started community college to become a graphic design artist. At the time it made sense. Art was one of my interests, and if I were to pick a career to stick with for the rest of my life, then a career in one of my interests made sense. Boy was I wrong. After classes, I decided I enjoyed doing graphic design as a hobby but didn’t want to turn it into a career. I ended up changing my major to accounting. I had taken it in high school, and it was a subject I enjoyed and did well in. Like graphic design, it didn’t stick and I found myself struggling through my classes.

I ended up graduating from community college with a general associate’s degree with no idea of what to do next. For years I struggled to find my purpose, I played around with the idea of going back to school and looked into different career paths, but nothing felt right. It wasn’t until I reframed my thinking that I was able to find my purpose.

When it comes to mental health, one thing that isn’t mentioned often is hygiene. To most people, going days without brushing your teeth, showering, or combing your hair is disgusting. But for those who struggle with their mental health, it’s the norm. Living with mental illness is a challenge, and even on the best days. It’s a struggle to get out of bed most days let alone take a shower. You start telling yourself you’ll do it later, but keep putting it off. It feels like a fog is hanging over you and it becomes harder to find the motivation to care for your hygiene. You know you need to take care of yourself, but it’s easier said than done. Tasks that seem simple to most are a challenge to take on with a fog hanging over you, and crawling back into bed seems like the best option.

Being alone on Thanksgiving doesn’t feel great. It’s a holiday that’s centered around spending time with friends and loved ones. So when you’re solo on Thanksgiving it’s easy to feel lonely and depressed. For many this year, it might be their first time spending Thanksgiving alone. And there’s nothing wrong with feeling down or missing being with your friends and family. Rather you turned down an invitation or your family lives out of town, having a solo of Thanksgiving doesn’t mean you have to feel sad and lonely. There are ways to be solo and still enjoy Thanksgiving.

The holiday season is right around the corner. It’s full of family get-togethers, office parties, and Christmas shopping trips. If you’re an introvert, the holiday season might be something your dread. Trying to catch your breath between dealing with crowds in stores and social activities isn’t easy. And feeling overwhelmed during the holidays isn’t uncommon for introverts. it’s tempting to want to clear your calendar and hide away until it’s over. But you can be an introvert and still enjoy the holidays.