Mental health issues are all around us, and they are becoming more alarming than ever before. Everywhere we look, there are silent struggles, yet life often forces us to ignore them. Today’s society moves so fast that we end up sacrificing small moments of joy, clarity, or downtime just because something else needs our attention. Over time, this constant pace drains our energy and builds fatigue. A fatigue that’s hard to explain but, if left unchecked, turns into mental exhaustion and pushes us to the edge of what’s sustainable.
I’m not a mental health expert. In fact, I’ve always thought of myself as too vulnerable and emotional to choose that path as a career. Because of this, I have deep love and respect for those who dedicate their lives to helping others in this field. It’s one of the most sensitive careers someone can take, and success is hard to measure.
Still, life has taught me a few things along the way. When I was younger, I was always told that time moves slowly when we’re kids, then a little faster in our teens and early adulthood, and before we know it, it flies by. Now in my late thirties, I see how true that is. It feels like the year just started, yet here we are in the middle of summer, with more than half of it gone. Weekends come and go in a blink. My calendar looks like a rainbow of plans from early morning to late evening.
Sometimes I just wish for one quiet night where I have no plans at all. A night to binge-watch a series, cuddle with my dogs, and chat about random things with my wife. Just a few years ago, we did that four or five times a week. Then covid hit, and for a while, it was all we did. But just as quickly as that time came, it went away. Now, life feels like one thing leading to another, and before you know it, another week, another month, another year has passed.
I know many people are even busier than I am. Some love it, and that’s great, but my advice to everyone is simple: please take care of yourself. Take care of your mental health. Take stock of what matters and ask yourself if what you’re doing is truly worth it. Life is too short. Book that day off. Take that short trip. Go for that cocktail with friends. Find moments to live and breathe.
Don’t give up on what makes you happy because you’re too busy. Being busy is good, but being happy is essential, our mental health is important too. Happiness keeps us mentally strong and gives us the will to fight another day.
It breaks my heart every time I hear about someone gone too soon. I often wonder if there was anything anyone could have done to save that life. Most times, life moves so fast that we miss the signs in those we love most. Sometimes, we even ignore them, trying to push through for the sake of being busy.
We can’t always know what someone is going through, but slowing down, enjoying life a little more, and creating a safe space for loved ones to open up might save a life. And if it does, that alone is worth it.
Life is short, and sadly, we make it even shorter by compromising happiness for the sake of being busy. Please, be kind to those around you. Show appreciation. Tell your loved ones you love them. Spend quality time together. You never know how much that might mean to someone. And if nothing else, you’ll strengthen your bond while making life just a little more beautiful.