This wasn’t supposed to be about mental health.
It was just supposed to be a blog about how to live a better life through science-backed habits. But then, as I was trying to describe myself to you, Dear Reader… I realized that I can’t make a blog about living your best life without talking about mental health.
I am a 34-year-old woman who struggles with ADHD, depression, and anxiety. While I do take medication and have tried therapy in the past, it continues to be a struggle. My productivity is at an all-time low. Most days, I’m drowning in overwhelm and the nagging sense that I’m just not cutting it. I ‘ve been sleeping so much lately that I’m surprised I haven’t fused with my bed.
Looking at my life from the outside, you’d probably think it’s a pretty good one. I’m married to a great guy and I have two healthy, thriving daughters. I live in a nice house in the suburbs. I have a stable career. And yet… something always feels off.
It turns out that a LOT of people feel this way. Just look at all the “remedies” people peddle to try and make us feel better. There are elixirs, gummies, patches, crystals, horoscopes, copper bracelets, and dozens of other things that promise to finally “fix” us.
I’m sick of the bullshit. I like to think of myself as pretty science-minded, so it’s embarrassing to admit I’ve bought my fair share of wellness crap. What can I say? Desperate people do desperate things.
You might be thinking, “Jenny, if you believe in science, why haven’t you tried more science-backed methods to help improve your mental health?” That’s a great question. I suppose it’s because it’s easier and faster to hold a piece of quartz and swallow some potion than it is to try something less glamorous (but scientifically supported) and hope I see a difference.
Well, Dear Reader, none of it worked. So I’m done with the pretty lies. I want something real, even if it’s slower, messier, and literally less sparkly. I’m ready for wellness without the woo.
The point of this blog is to be the guinea pig. To try small, science-backed changes and see if they actually help. To test things so you don’t have to. And maybe to figure out what “living well” actually looks like.
Better(ish) 