A year ago, I spent an entire week going back and forth on whether or not I should share something that meant so much to me. Something that changed my life–both positively and negatively. I spent days deciding whether or not this was the right thing to do. However, exactly one year ago, I finally decided to press “Post” and ended up making one of the best decisions of my life. I shared my first blog post publicly and rambled on with the following post:
People wonder why I keep taking the time to share my blog posts when I’m already always stressed about how busy I am. I already write on my own time and for myself. However, I write and share these blog posts for the same, but also entirely different, reasons.
I received a variety of responses for sharing sharing this initial post. My family received the same responses from people. I was told not to share things that are so private, to go pray things away, and to think about what others would think about me or my family. I began blocking certain people from seeing my next few posts because I couldn’t handle disappointing a few people.
But that changed after my conversations with all of you.
I suddenly stopped caring about what others thought because I realized how this was starting conversations in our community. I stopped blocking people because I want these family members to become more aware of what is happening to our loved ones. I want to keep sharing our stories because it’s helping us learn so much about each other and how we truly can be there for one another.
These are just a few of the conversations I’ve had within the past year that push me to keep going (Didn’t want to share any personal stories, names, or specifics, so I just copy and pasted from a few examples) . Talking to all of you. Seeing all you starting your own conversations. Witnessing all of you raise awareness, become more educated, seek treatment, or simply take the time to take care of your health and happiness.
This is why I keep sharing.
Helping someone brightens up my life so much, and if these posts can help even one more person seek the resources they need, talk to their loved ones, or learn how to love themselves–my heart will be more than fulfilled.
Thank you all so much for the continuous love, support and conversations. Can’t wait for years of more stories💕💕
- Congrats on starting your blog! I am so excited to read it and think it is so important that you are sharing your story and experience
- Sorry to bother you…you posted that blog entry on facebook today and it just really hit home for me. I’ve been trying to come to terms with the fact that i might have anxiety and depression this past year and I’m really just struggling with accepting that something is wrong. I’ve always had weird anxious behaviors since I was a kid, but they were always just written off, like I’d grow out of it or that I was just being a worry-wort. And I try to talk to my friends about it when I get really sad or, worse, when i just feel that sort of blank, empty feeling. They all say that it’s normal and that they will feel like that too sometimes. But I don’t think they understand the extremity to which I feel it or the fact that there is nothing that really causes it, it’s just out of the blue loads of sadness.
- Your blog is awesome🙂
- Juhi, your blog post was so beautifully written and you are so brave. You’re an amazing person and you’re giving so much strength and inspiration to everyone who is struggling with mental health. So proud of you ❤
- I keep trying to tell myself that I don’t have anything to be sad about, there is so much to be grateful about in my life. I feel like i don’t deserve to be sad, you know? aaahhh and even when I just write this out to you, I feel like I am being ridiculous or a drama queen. But I’ve felt this way for so long and it’s getting to the point where it affects my life, that I feel like it has to be more than me just being a worrisome person?
- But i started reading your other blog posts and they are all so good. and i really feel like i can relate to them…can we please get coffee when we get back to ann arbor?
- Therapy is definitely something I would consider, especially now that I feel like my feelings are intervening with my life. I’ve always just swept everything under the rug and been sorta fine, but I can’t really get away with doing that anymore. How did you go about seeking a therapist?
- Hi Juhi! I read your post, that was super brave. The last year, I’ve been going through a lot and been feeling very similar. I was going to counseling for a while and just hoping time would fix it all but it still hasn’t. And I do talk to my mom about it occasionally but I know it upsets her when I’m upset so I try not to bring it up too often but I know she sees I’m not really the same anymore. I told my mom about your post and it kinda let me build up the courage to tell her that I’m going through similar things and really need help at this point. So thank you for that.
- So I just looked up…psychological services and there was so much information there, I even found the link to make an initial counseling appointment! I didn’t even know this was something that was available! I’m going to see if I can make an appointment before school starts, and if not I go back in a couple of weeks so that’s not too bad! I’ve been telling myself I would do something about how I have been feeling for awhile recently and your post really just pushed me over the edge, so thank you! Thank you so much!
- Basically I am just trying to ask is when did you start deferring between just being sad and actually being depressed? How do I talk to someone about the way I’m feeling?
- I’m so glad people are now willing to talk about such sensitive topics. I feel like so many of us (especially Asian Americans) go through similar situations and never talk about it or tell anyone bc of the stigma associated with it. Thank you for trying to break those barriers. You’re so brave!
- Hey Juhi! I know we’ve never really talked much before, but I love your recent blog post! It’s seriously so hard to learn to love yourself in a subculture that stigmatizes and ignores anxiety and depression. That’s been such an enormous personal issue for me, so reading your post was an almost perfect reflection of my own thoughts. Anyways, just wanted to say you’ve inspired me
- You showed so much courage in it and i admire you so much…i dont understand why so many people are afraid to talk about depression and anxiety and are embarrassed about it. I kept that in me so long and was so ashamed about it. You are an amazing person and very strong.
- I saw your blog post and wanted to say thanks for being brave in writing that. It really resonated with me because I also was diagnosed with depression last semester and deal with that alongside some major social anxiety. I’m really glad that you’re speaking out to break the stigma and getting treatment! I’m also in therapy and going to start anti-depressants soon….It’s cliche for me to say this but know that you also are not alone and that if you need anything, you can talk to me too wishing you all the best!!!
- I want to give you the biggest hug. You have so much courage for posting about your blog. I’m incredibly proud to know someone who has the strength to not only speak out but get help for themselves. I know what it’s like the struggle with depression and anxiety and it took years before I got my dad to even understand it. It’s really hard for some people to lose their stigma but you’re doing something amazing. I hope things continue to go well for you and if you ever need someone to talk to that understands mental illness, I’m ALWAYS here for you
- Juhi! I finally found the time to read your blog.And. Well. Same, girl. Lots and lots of same feelings. hugging you super hard rn
- Juhi, your blog post was so beautifully written and you are so brave. You’re an amazing person and you’re giving so much strength and inspiration to everyone who is struggling with mental health.
- The few times I tried to google my fears and insecurities, I didnt get very far and just thought it was only me. Its always nice to know your not alone
- Hey juhi… mom just showed your post to me and i read your blog…you showed so much courage in it and i admire you so much…i dont understand why so many people are afraid to talk about depression and anxiety and are embarrassed about it. I…went through post partum depression. It took me a long time to come to terms with it because how could it happen to me? I have so much support and always happy and bubbly yet i feel/think things that are out of my norm….thankfully… saw a difference and contacted the doctor and got me started on lexapro with saved my life. I kept that in me so long and was so ashamed about it. You are an amazing person and very strong. Sorry if i wasnt suppose to read your blog but i wanted to message you to tell you how brave and strong you are.
- Hey Juhi!! I hope you’re doing well First of all, I absolutely LOVED your blog post about mental health awareness. I truly admire you for being able to post that because it’s so difficult to be vulnerable and expose your “weakness” to the public like that. I said “weakness” because I personally don’t like to see it as that even though other people might, you’re actually so strong. Second of all, this may come as a surprise to you, but I guess you could say I suffered a depression of my own… I’m telling you this because you’re right, you aren’t the only one. So many people who you expect and see as being happy all the time really aren’t.
- If you don’t mind (and you can totally tell me if you’re not comfortable with this), I would like to discuss some things with you about this because I feel like so many Indian people we know are victims of this at some point. It sucks because I feel like college does that to people? The social interactions, and expectations everyone has of each other. and that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. You don’t have to share any personal experiences with me/feel pressured to discuss this! Just let me know if you are ever down to talk..this is definitely a prominent issue in people’s lives whether or not they like to admit it!
- …So brave for sharing and breaking the silence <3 <3 <3
- You’ve made it out as a stronger person. You’re someone who I will always look up to for being brave enough to let the world in on your own life.
