POEM: Unwelcome Guests — A Mental Health Post
I’ve been a bit of a hot mess lately.
At least my vanity hopes I’m hot while also falling apart. Not all the way, of course. I’ve got to keep it together enough to function, because I’m a perfectionist who won’t allow total collapse. (Yes, the perfectionist thing is also an issue.)
Photo: Andre Gaulin/Unsplash
Let's talk about mental health, shall we?
Though there’s an expanding, world-wide conversation around mental health that’s helping to dispel some of the stigma, there’s still a misconception that people dealing with mental health challenges are weak.
We’re not. We’re strong, and incredibly brave.
An example: If someone with chronic pain shows up every day and does their best, even though they’re suffering, we admire them. I would, anyway.
Another example: A warrior is fighting a battle, gets wounded, but keeps fighting, never giving up. That’s classic heroism right there.
Someone struggling with mental health might have different pain, their wounds invisible, but that doesn’t make them any less amazing than the people in the two examples I’ve given. We all have our issues. Some can be seen, some are hidden.
And we do try to hide our imperfections as humans, don’t we? As a whole, at least. Some brave souls show them, but Western culture especially encourages us to put on makeup or squeeze into underthings that hide our flaws. This doesn’t make the imperfections go away, it just makes us feel shame for having them. Not helpful.
So, here I am, talking about mental health. Because I know I’m not alone in dealing with it. I know there’s an overwhelming percentage of the population struggling internally with their own demons. And we can absolutely grow stronger through the struggle, but that doesn’t make it any easier.
However, sometimes knowing you’re not alone helps.
I’d like to share a poem that I wrote last night when I was trying to get to sleep. Because this is a mental health thing, I’ll prelude the poem with a disclaimer that, yes, I’m okay. Yes, I’m focusing on self-care and reaching out to my support team. No, you don’t have to worry about me, and you don’t have to try to fix my problems. Only I can do that.
I offer this as a reminder that, if you’re suffering, you’re not alone. And if you’re not, you’re lucky.
Please be kind to others, because you never know when someone is barely holding it together.
POEM: Unwelcome Guests
I was already on my knees when
Anger and Depression waltzed in,
Arm in arm, like always.
They started wrecking the place
Like rock stars on a binge.
Anxiety cowered in the corner, shaking.
I crawled to the balcony and
Gulped deep breaths,
But the air was cold, the sky grey.
No warmth to be found.
I glanced over the edge,
As I’d done many times before,
But I knew the fall to oblivion
Was only the illusion of escape.
I wouldn’t find my answers there.
No need to make things harder in the next life.
I tried to evict my unwelcome guests,
But they crashed back in through the window
And put a hole in the wall.
So I gave Anger a punching bag,
Covered Depression with a cozy blanket,
And served Anxiety some soothing tea.
It didn’t satisfy them, but it helped.
I retreated to bed, knowing
They’d be up to their tricks
Again in the morning.
But, somehow, I’d find the strength to survive.
Original writing by Katrina Ariel
Thanks for reading!
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Just when I think you're written my favorite poem, you go and write one to top it. This is fantastic, Katrina.
Well. That's a high compliment, coming from you. Thank you! ❤️
This is so true! I can totally relate to your words. It does help to know you're not alone. Especially to those who find it hard to open up and talk about it, like myself.
My favorite part of your poem. <3
Take care and thank you for sharing this post! :)
Thanks, sweet friend. Sometimes it isn't easy to open up, and then I feel so much better when I do. ❤️
An excellent article and a moving poem that provokes empathy thus understanding. Thank you for sharing, dear @katrina-Ariel. Take care 🥰🌺🤗
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Thanks for reading. So glad you liked it. ❤️
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What a greta post and amazing poem, and yes your so right we all have issues
So appreciated. And, yes, we do, but our quirks are what make us unique and wonderful. ;)
Ohh yes it would be such a boring world if we were all the same ;)
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Thank you!
This is so... very... good!
I love the way you created an allegory out of your feelings!
This is just superb! Bravo! 💖
💖💖💖💖💖💖Hugglepounces! 💖💖💖💖💖💖
Ditto that! The opening lines are awesome and everything in between. And this:
I retreated to bed, knowing
They’d be up to their tricks
Again in the morning.
But we will survive! and We are not alone. This is a very timely reminder for me, Katrina. I've been trying to shake off a sense of futility the way dogs shake off water.
Thank you!
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I do feel you its always on the edge. I hide them well. But dont hide myself unless isolation is needed for awhile to heal... B⃤ E⃤ W⃤ E⃤ L⃤ L⃤ my friend... Lots of love...
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I have been myself on edge lately, and just letting myself to heal, and stop, and breathe and STOP and give me time... It seems I'm away but I'm not and you know how and where to reach me, know that. But once more amazing piece of writing
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How nice it is to see, find and be able to read people like you, so brave to express their emotions and feelings! a beautiful poem!
As someone who dealt with depression ... and struggled with a lot of issues ... I don’t really know how to respond to this .... I do believe that everyone has a battle and fight they are struggling with ... I do believe that people should not stigmatize mental health issues ... but I do believe these are products of our surroundings and environment... the things that happen around us that make us feel a certain way .. or not be able to handle or address issues .... I also think we over medicate people with mental issues rather than get to the root of the problem.
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