You cannot pour from an empty cup. These are words I have heard for many years. I have recently learned just how true that is. I have two daughters. They need to learn how to take care of their mental health. One of the best ways I can teach them how to do that is through example. I would not be able to teach my daughters how to care for themselves if I did not also take care of myself. Unfortunately, I have only recently learned the proper ways to help my mental health. I believe it is different for everyone. One must learn what fills their cup. If I do not fill my cup, I am more easily irritable. This means I have less patience for my girls. I have been working on waking up just slightly earlier than normal to fill up my cup a little bit before they wake up. When I have a little bit in my cup I am able to share with my girls. I have more patience for them, and I am able to more easily teach them life lessons. I am still learning how to "do" mental health. I am so glad there are a lot more resources than there used to be. I am able to take what I have learned and teach that to my girls. My youngest is 8 months old so I am only recently getting back into working out. Exercise definitely helps me feel better both mentally and physically. Taking intentional deep breaths is a good way to try to calm down any excessive emotions so you can think more clearly. For me personally, I have music, crochet and knitting, sewing and embroidery, and other crafts that help me feel fulfilled. It is hard to figure out how to incorporate those things into my busy life as a mom of two. I may not be able to sit for hours at a time and work on something the way I used to, but I have learned that having even one hour after the girls are finally asleep still helps to fill my cup and calm my mind. I hope I am able to use what I learn in my journey of self-care and mental health to help my daughters start their lives with better habits than I had initially. They need to know that their own mental health is so important in order to find happiness in life and feel fulfilled. I will do my best to teach them that through example.

I have struggled with depression and anxiety my whole life. My mom struggles with depression, and my dad struggles with anxiety. I remember being so young and anxious, depressed, and overall unsatisfied with life. My oldest daughter is the same way. She is only 5 years old. I started self-harming around her age, although I did not know that was what it was at the time. I want to help my daughter learn the coping mechanisms that I never had. She needs to know that she has people who love her, want her, and will support her through hard times. I never had that. I always felt so empty and alone. I am only recently learning that it is okay to not be able to do all the things a "normal" person can do. I am glad I can teach my daughter how to be okay with that. I wish my mother taught me how to cope. I wish she was able to help me feel loved and wanted. I used to be so mad at her. Now I understand she was doing her best at the time. Your best is always good enough because it is literally the most you can do. Your best may look entirely different from someone else's best, but that is okay. I still struggle to keep a job. I still get a lot of strange looks because I was suicidal in the past and ended up in the hospital once. To be honest, it was a blessing because I was able to learn how much being constantly connected to the world is affecting me. I also got to be with other people who were struggling in similar ways. I suddenly felt so much less alone. Although, once you got out of the hospital there was nothing. No support, no connection, no reassurance or guarantee that you would get the help you needed. You are left stranded to fend for yourself. Even if you have good enough insurance to get in to see a therapist and to see someone if you need meds, there is usually a months long wait list to get in. Your life is put on hold, and often you are in danger of yourself. People with mental illnesses need more support. We need less judgement. It needs to be realized that we are sick like any other illness. Diabetics need insulin, infections need antibiotics, bone breaks need casts and sometimes surgery. I wish there was a test to "prove" your mental illness is real, and to determine which medicine is best for you. The best thing I can do now is simply to try to do my best. Raise my girls with as much love and compassion as possible. Let them know it is okay to not be okay. If they end up depressed or anxious like me, let them know they are not alone and I will do everything in my power to help them. First and foremost I need to take care of myself. I sincerely hope more research is done on mental illnesses and more support is given to that community.

I am a 31-year-old mom of two. I started college young, but I never finished. I wanted to focus on raising my girls. Our situation has since changed, and I need to help in any way I can. I still want to be available for my girls. They need me in this part of their lives. They are still developing, growing, and learning. I want to do what is best for them. At this time and in these circumstances the best thing that I can do for them is to get a higher education for myself. This way I can help them develop, grow, and learn better. I will be able to afford the resources necessary for their schooling, and other things they will need as they grow. My children keep me going, and they keep me reaching for better things. For them I will do anything.

Titles of books, and pictures of covers race through my mind as I wonder, "What book would benefit those I know, those I have only met, and those I will never meet?". The options are as endless as the stars. There is no one book that is the "right" answer. One book that has helped me throughout life is "Green Eggs and Ham". I used to be terrified of trying anything new or different. As long as it is a safe thing, there is no harm in trying new things. Nothing bad will come of trying new hobbies, tasting new foods, or hanging out with new people. When you try something new or different you are not required to love, or even like, that new thing. You are allowed to say, "This is not for me" and then move on with your life. I have used this same mindset with my children when we try a new game, watch a new show, or eat a new food. You will never know if you truly do not like something unless you try it first. If you do not like how the game is playing out, you are not required to continue playing. If you do not like a show after a few minutes, you can change it to something else. Taste the new food. Talk to the new people. Try the new game. You get to decide if you would like to keep that change in your life and you are allowed to say no. There is so much strength in trying. Trying is the beginning of doing. Doing is the beginning of living life to the best of your abilities.