Unbecoming is a limited series where I explore what it means to let go of who I thought I had to be—the hustle, the pressure, the expectations—to find peace, joy, and identity on my own terms.
In this week’s episode of Unbecoming, I share how my journey with mental health has shaped every part of who I am. I open up about the diagnoses I’ve received—depression, anxiety, CPTSD, PMDD, and bipolar 2—and what it’s meant to navigate life, work, and love while carrying these invisible truths. From the early days of confusion and mislabeling to the deep, ongoing work of reclaiming identity beyond diagnosis, this episode is a personal and unscripted reflection on how I’m learning to see myself more clearly and care for myself more deeply.
Key Takeaways
Mental illness can be invisible but deeply impactful. So much of what I live with isn’t obvious from the outside, which makes understanding, validation, and compassion even more essential.
Diagnosis is both a revelation and a reckoning. Each label brought clarity but also grief, as I confronted what had been misunderstood or overlooked for years.
Our upbringing shapes our perception of mental health. Growing up with a parent who lived with depression influenced how I related to my own struggles and what I believed was “normal.”
Mental health touches every part of life. From ambition and burnout to boundaries in love and creativity, these experiences shaped how I work, love, and show up.
There is power in naming what you carry. Being able to identify and speak the truth about what I was living with allowed me to begin healing and reclaiming my story.
You are not your diagnosis. Over time, I’ve learned to separate who I am from what I’ve been diagnosed with, and that has been one of the most liberating shifts.
Reflection
If you’re on a similar path, I invite you to take some time to reflect on these questions:
When did you first realize your mental health needed more attention than just rest or resilience?
How have your early experiences or upbringing influenced how you see or treat your mental health today?
In what ways have your diagnoses shaped your relationships, creativity, or choices?
Have you ever felt limited or defined by a mental health label? What helps you reconnect to who you are beyond it?
What does emotional and spiritual care look like for you in this season of life?
Thank you for listening to this deeply personal reflection. If you’re living with a mental health condition—or even just figuring yourself out—you are not alone. It’s taken me years to untangle who I am from what I’ve been diagnosed with, and I’m still learning. I hope this episode made you feel a little more seen.
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Unbecoming goes live every Friday until September 19, 2025. I hope you’ll join me again next week.
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Other episodes in the Unbecoming series:
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