I was at the peak of my game.
Mid 20s. In a fantastic Master's program. Soon to be psychologist!
And over the span of a few days it all came crashing down.
Intense vertigo. Unmanageable anxiety. Inability to concentrate.
Then came suicidal thinking, the loss of identity, the need to rebuild.
It was an experience that I don't wish unto anyone, but it also provided some incredible lessons. The kinds you only get when everything goes to shit.
1. Adaptability is the Key to Thriving
When reality is shattered, you're presented with a gift: adaptation.
I had to rip my identity apart and recreate my path.
This is the alchemy of life: the ability to build from scratch, to improvise, to take the immediate next step.
2. Your Life is Your Responsibility, So Brace for Shocks
The people who supported me are still my heroes.
But I also realized that I was vulnerable to situations like the one I was living through. So I had to git gud. Not only to heal, but to withstand future shocks.
The health crisis taught me I have a responsibility to myself and those close to me to build resilience mentally, physically, and financially.
3. Crises Can Be Good for You
I didn't plan to have my life flipped upside down. But I'm glad as hell it was.
It accelerated my path to maturity. Made me more relatable. And it helped me realize that you don't always choose how you grow. But that you always do.
Years later, I'm in a better place and am a better person. I couldn't have gotten here if things didn't go to shit.
We're stronger than we think. And difficult situations are sometimes a blessing in disguise. Or at least that's what I tell myself to stay sane.