Are You Waiting to Feel Better Before You Take Action?

The year 2022 was the worst year of my life so far.

Between multiple deaths in my family, a mental health diagnosis that shook my sense of identity, and physical injuries that affected my livelihood, I found myself in one of the lowest states I’ve ever been in.

All of my practices fell away. Mindfulness was replaced with mindless scrolling. Exercise was replaced with Netflix binges. Getting out in nature was replaced with going full hermit mode. Anything I could do to disassociate. And while small moments of disconnect were necessary, I let it go too far. It became my normal. Deep down, I knew that if I could just get back to the habits that once grounded me—movement, journaling, gratitude—I would begin to feel better. But it felt like every time I was almost ready, the next hard thing came along and knocked me back down.

Eventually, I realized I was waiting to feel better before I did anything to help myself feel better. But that’s not how healing works.

We often tell ourselves, “Once my mental health improves, I’ll start exercising, meditating, journaling, or getting outside again.” But, that’s putting the cart before the horse. Those very practices are what help our mental health improve.

I know firsthand how hard it can be to take action when you feel completely drained. When even brushing your teeth or going for a short walk feels monumental. But small, consistent actions are what slowly rebuild our foundation. You don’t have to overhaul your life or feel inspired—just take one small step each day.

Here are a few things that helped me reconnect with myself:

• Move your body, even if it’s just stretching in your living room.

• Get sunlight on your face, especially in the morning.

• Write down one thing you’re grateful for each day.

• Reach out to a friend, preferably to talk about what’s going on, but at a minimum to say hi.

• Be mindful of what you consume - in your body and your mind.

These aren’t quick fixes or cures for serious mental health struggles. But they do create space for healing to begin.

And if you’re navigating something that feels too heavy to carry alone—like depression, anxiety, or trauma—please reach out for professional support. Therapy and other forms of treatment can make all the difference. You deserve that kind of help.

You don’t have to wait to be healed to take healing actions. You can start today, right where you are.

Your mental health doesn’t get better then you act.
It gets better because you act.

Every small choice you make to care for yourself adds up. That’s how you elevate your life—one intentional action at a time.

Take care of yourself!

Sara💜