Tag: god

T is for Transitions, Truth, and Treading Water

by Mothersense, posted in Mental Health Recovery, Reclamation

If you noticed the quiet here on Friday, thank you for your grace. My body called a hard timeout, and honoring that pause wasn’t optional—it was necessary.

When you’re running a series like this, missing a beat can make you feel like you’ve fallen behind. But as we step into T, it feels right on time. Today, T stands for three things that are currently intertwined in my life: Transitions, Truth-Telling, and Treading Water.

The Reality of Treading Water

When we talk about life changes, the world loves to highlight the “before” and “after.” We talk about making strides, taking big leaps, and celebrating clean breaks.

What people rarely talk about is the awkward, exhausting space in between—the season where you are simply treading water.

Treading water gets a bad rap because it looks like standing still from the surface. But underneath? Your legs are moving constantly just to keep your head up. It takes real energy to hold your ground while your body and mind adapt to change. If all you did today was keep your head above water while navigate a hard shift, that wasn’t a wasted day. That was survival.

Facing the Hard Truths

You can’t navigate a transition successfully on half-truths or wishful thinking. Real growth requires a serious period of Truth-Seeking and Truth-Telling—starting with the person in the mirror.

That means looking squarely at what we are putting into our bodies, our minds, and our daily routines, and asking: Is this actually serving me, or is it just a crutch?

For me, that truth-telling hits close to home right now:

  • The Habit Swap: Back in January, I made the big decision to quit smoking. That was a huge win, but to keep the edge off, I picked up vaping. It cut down the harm, but the truth caught up with me: my lungs are letting me know in no uncertain terms that vaping has to go, too. Moving from one crutch to another isn’t the final destination; it was just a stepping stone on the way to full clarity.
  • Fuel vs. Filling Space: I’m in a season where I have to be intensely mindful of every single thing I eat. It can no longer be about convenience or quick fixes. I am actively learning to seek high nutritional value and genuine flavor, shifting how I view food entirely.
  • Adding & Subtracting: Transitions aren’t just about cutting things out—they’re about replacing old, harmful patterns with nourishing ones. It’s an ongoing audit of habits, routines, and inputs.

Bringing Your Circle Into the Fold

The hardest part of truth-telling is doing it out loud with the people who love you.

It is terrifying to admit to the people close to us that we are struggling, or that a habit we thought we had under control is actually holding us back. But hiding our struggles only isolates us.

When we tell the truth to our family, friends, and support system:

  1. We drop the mask: Pretending “everything is fine” takes twice as much energy as actually dealing with the problem.
  2. We invite accountability: The people who love us can’t help us keep our balance if they don’t know we’re tipping over.
  3. We build a safer bridge: Letting others see our raw transitions allows them to support us in practical, meaningful ways.

Finding the New Normal

Learning a whole new set of life skills—whether it’s stepping away from nicotine entirely, restructuring your diet, or managing physical boundaries—feels heavy when you’re doing it all at once.

If you are currently in a transition of your own, give yourself permission to tread water for a minute. Be honest about where it hurts, stop pretending you have it all figured out, and let the people who care about you help hold you steady while you build your new normal.

We don’t have to swim laps today. We just have to keep reaching for the truth, one breath at a time.

Forgiveness for others, for yourself

by Mothersense, posted in This Life

The Struggle of Forgiveness: Why Letting Go is Vital for Mental Health

Forgiveness is one of the most powerful acts of healing we can do for ourselves, but it’s also one of the hardest. Whether you’re struggling to forgive someone who has hurt you, or battling the guilt of not forgiving yourself, it can feel like an impossible task. However, forgiveness is essential for mental health, peace of mind, and moving forward in life. It’s a powerful tool that can free us from pain, resentment, and the weight of negative emotions that hold us back. But why is it so challenging, and how can we move past the struggle to heal?

Why is Forgiveness So Hard?

Forgiveness can feel like giving up your right to be angry, hurt, or upset. When someone wrongs us, the emotions can run deep. There’s often a sense of betrayal, hurt, or disappointment. It’s natural to want to hold onto these feelings, because it feels like protecting yourself. In the case of self-forgiveness, it can be even harder. How do you forgive yourself for things you regret? The shame and guilt can feel overwhelming, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you don’t deserve forgiveness.

But what if we told you that holding onto these feelings is actually making things worse? Unforgiveness doesn’t hurt the person who wronged you—it hurts you. It keeps you stuck in the past and prevents you from moving forward in life. It can affect your mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and stress. Holding onto guilt or resentment also weighs on your heart, mind, and body, making it harder to find peace and joy.

The Impact of Unforgiveness on Mental Health

The emotional and physical toll of unforgiveness is real. Studies have shown that carrying the burden of anger or regret can lead to increased stress, lower immunity, and even chronic health issues. When we hold on to unresolved emotions, they can manifest as tension, sleeplessness, headaches, and more. In the long run, harboring unforgiveness can even contribute to deeper mental health challenges, such as depression and anxiety.

Mentally, not forgiving can cause you to relive the pain over and over again. You might find yourself ruminating on past events, replaying conversations or moments in your head. This can make it difficult to move on and create new, positive memories. The past can trap you in a cycle of negative thinking, which holds you back from being present and finding joy in your life today.

Forgiving Others: A Gift to Yourself

Forgiving others doesn’t mean excusing their behavior or forgetting the hurt. It means deciding that you are no longer going to let their actions control your happiness and peace of mind. When you forgive, you are taking back your power. You’re choosing to let go of the negative emotions that have held you hostage for so long.

Forgiving others is a process—it doesn’t happen overnight. It’s okay to take small steps and allow yourself to feel angry or upset. But each time you release that anger, even in tiny moments, you’re creating space for healing. Start by acknowledging the pain, expressing your emotions in a safe space, and eventually, choosing to release that pain for your own peace.

The Importance of Self-Forgiveness

While forgiving others can be challenging, forgiving yourself is often even harder. We tend to be our own harshest critics, holding ourselves to impossibly high standards. When we make mistakes, especially ones that hurt others, the guilt can feel suffocating. We often ask, “How can I forgive myself after what I did?”

The truth is, everyone makes mistakes. We are all human. The key is to learn from those mistakes and use them as stepping stones toward growth and self-improvement. Self-forgiveness doesn’t mean absolving yourself of responsibility. It means acknowledging the mistake, accepting that you’re not perfect, and giving yourself permission to move on.

When you forgive yourself, you free yourself from the burden of guilt. This act of self-compassion is vital to mental health. It allows you to focus on the present and future instead of being stuck in the past. It helps you cultivate self-love, which in turn boosts your self-esteem and sense of well-being.

Taking Stock of Unforgiveness in Your Life

Forgiveness is an essential part of the mental health journey. It’s important to take stock of any unforgiveness in your life—whether it’s toward others or yourself. Ask yourself: Are there people or situations that I’ve been holding onto, keeping myself stuck in pain? Are there mistakes I’ve made that I need to forgive myself for? Recognizing areas of unforgiveness allows you to begin the process of healing.

Forgiveness is not a sign of weakness. It’s an act of strength, courage, and self-care. It’s about reclaiming your peace and taking control of your emotional well-being. Whether you start with forgiving someone else, or you begin with forgiving yourself, remember that it’s okay to take it one step at a time. Progress in forgiveness is progress in mental health.

Wrapping up: Healing Through Forgiveness

The struggle with forgiveness is real, but the freedom that comes from letting go is worth the effort. Forgiving others, forgiving yourself, and taking stock of any unresolved feelings can help you break free from the past and move forward with a lighter heart and mind. Remember, forgiveness is a journey, not a destination. It may take time, but every step you take toward forgiveness is a step toward healing, peace, and better mental health.

Let go of what no longer serves you, and give yourself the gift of forgiveness. Your mental health will thank you for it.