i’m a 16M living in Canada. Many mental illnesses run in my family. i was diagnosed with anxiety at 14, and still have trouble with it to this day. I couldn’t  help but to feel it would effect me for the rest of my life, and i would never be the same. I am now going into my senior year of highschool, and have learned that my anxiety doesn’t define who i am.

through my anxiety i’ve also become more faithful, i find it helps to believe in a higher power; and i don’t mean to worship a specific god, or to go to church every sunday. I mean take your time to realize what you want in life, and to ask the universe for it. (i know it sounds insane just trust me)

I have also become more spiritual and started focusing a lot more on my art. since i was diagnosed, i started painting and drawing more, and grew an interest in singing, and songwriting.

Moreover, i also believe that nourishing your body is a big part of how you feel. I’ve started paying attention to what food makes me feel energized and full. I started avoiding diets when i found out that 90% of them don’t even work, also started to not weigh myself, unless in a medical setting. 

I started doing taekwondo when i was 5 years old, and continued doing it until  13, and would do it full time. I found that going back to it really helped me out. I also started doing badminton, and track - as i find sports are a good way out of anxiety because it focuses your thoughts. 

Lastly, surround yourself with people who are understanding, and supportive of your mental illness. Even if you don’t have a mental illness you should still find people who don’t make you second guess yourself

thanks for listening to me rant!