The Beautiful Mind Project

“I cope by doing yoga, stretching, eating food that makes me feel good (fruit, warm drinks, or ice-cold drinks) even when I don’t have an appetite, and drawing."

"My anxiety prevents me from doing the simplest things. One time, I had already driven all the way to the store, but had to turn back home because I was feeling too overwhelmed to just complete my errands."

“I had struggled with an eating disorder for 10 years when one day my best friend had an open conversation with me and told me she was concerned about me and thought I should seek help. I went to a meeting with a CAN counselor on campus and she helped me along the process of getting into a treatment program. I have now been recovered for 6 months and I couldn't be more grateful for my best friend and the amazing team of counselors and nutritionists that supported me along the way! If there is anything to learn from my story, it is that recovery is possible, and if you're struggling with something similar, please reach out to someone who can help you on your path to recovery :)”

“I consistently am the person everyone comes to for advice, help, and overall reassurance. But recently, I have been finding myself feeling empty. It feels like no one is there for me; the people who talk to me everyday simply do just because they know I am the person they can come back to. Snapchat streaks do not fulfill me anymore and it feels as if I am alone. I look towards Youtube and Spotify for my daily entertainment rather than friends. I have had a variety of friends come in and out of my life and I am just confused if I am growing up too fast or not holding on enough."

“I recall having an anxiety attack related to COVID-19 concerns and I was able to soothe myself to calm down, even when my family members didn’t understand and my friends were unaware.”

“My anxiety prevents me from doing the simplest things. One time, I had already driven all the way to the store, but had to turn back home because I was feeling too overwhelmed to just complete my errands.”

“I cope by doing yoga, stretching, eating food that makes me feel good (fruit, warm drinks, or ice-cold drinks) even when I don’t have an appetite, and drawing.”

"I go on walks when I feel overwhelmed and let myself sit on some bench/grassy patch and look up at the sky and just think about the extent of my problems and make a list of reassuring affirmations and next steps."

"I'm still learning, but I try to talk to my friends and family when I feel anxious because they can offer me reassurance and comfort."

"The biggest struggle I face with my mental health is seeking counseling services that fits my needs and is actually covered by my insurance."

"I remember lying in bed one night after a productive day of studying, and I have a panic attack just because I remembered that I hadn't looked into any internships for the following summer. It took me an hour to calm down and go to sleep."

"I think for me it’s hard to know when I need some help. I’m so used to dealing with all my problems alone that I feel like it’s a burden to ask anyone now. I wish I knew how to talk to someone when I need support."

"I like to remind myself of the positive things that I am thankful for. I know that life cannot be perfect but if I start to appreciate the small things then I can help feel less pessimistic and tell myself everything is temporary and things will get better."

“I wish I could tell my younger self that everything will be okay. I do not need to stress over everything because, in the end, it will only harm me and my goals. The more I stress the more I am creating obstacles I may not have to cross.”

"The biggest struggle I face is opening up about my mental health. I confide in very few people about how I feel and I always pretend to be doing better than I actually am. I know this is not healthy but I don’t want others to feel obligated to worry about me or take care of me."

"I think the biggest struggle that I face with my mental health is the fact that I try to hide it all the time. No one knows of the battles I go through, and I constantly try to cover it up so no one sees how hurt I am."

"To me the hardest challenge is that sometimes I am unable to tell what's wrong with me when I feel down and upset. When you don't understand what the problem is it's hard to fix it."

"My current struggle is with the future; I'm constantly second guessing the decisions I've made in college and if I will be able to get a good paying job after this."

"I recall having an anxiety attack related to COVID-19 concerns and I was able to soothe myself to calm down, even when my family members didn’t understand and my friends were unaware."

"When life throws me a lemon I don’t make lemonade, instead I throw the lemon back and see if someone else can make better of it. Life will always have its ups and downs, the trick is never let your guard down long enough for it to impact you for too long."