How often do we easily judge people? During our meeting last
week, we were asked who could write an inspiring story and I volunteered myself
even though I’m not sure if I could even write something inspiring. In the past
days, I wasn't sure what to write. I thought, maybe I can write something about
the inspiring leadership training I attended in the past. But yesterday, I
realized that there is something much better than that.
I decided to write about myself.
To be honest, there is nothing inspiring about me. People
see me as a perky and optimistic person. However, not all people like my own
version of perkiness because I tend to become talkative. I know some won’t
appreciate that but people who know me well will appreciate every single word
I’ll say because not often I speak up and voice out my inner thoughts. I wasn’t
really open to everyone.
In the past, I always played the role of a strong and
independent person. At times, I even saw myself as a tough soccer player
fiercely trying to reach the goal because I’ve worked hard for everything I’ve
envisioned to be—to become a source of inspiration, motivation, and comfort to
people especially during the times of hardship and troubles. I made sure that I
could accomplish everything, without letting failure or rejection as an option.
But just like the old saying goes, “Even the best fall down
sometimes.”
I was eaten by all the responsibilities I had on my
shoulders. The stress and pressure from school, work, and personal issues
consumed me every single day. It made to a point when I woke up, I felt like
nothing made sense. I didn’t know why I suddenly felt tired and drained about
almost everything. Fear, frustration, depression, and anxiety were all blending
in my mind as I began falling and eventually failing physically, mentally and
emotionally.
Every day, it felt like I lost myself and my identity. I got
tongue-tied and bewildered whenever people would ask what was happening to me.
Before, I used to have answers to every question on the spot, but at that
point, I was no longer sure about everything. All I knew was my world was
falling in deep chaos and unsure what to do.
I lost the confidence I built within myself. I no longer
knew the path I needed to take. I was lost in an empty road alone, nowhere to
go. I was so hopeless that I started to question everything about myself, about
the people around and all the things that happened to me.
All those hardships, I kept it within myself. Behind those
seemingly perfect and strong façade, I healed my own pain, patched my own
scars, guarded my own heart, and laughing out my sadness and fears. No one knew
the truth except me and the moments I cried out alone. I thought I could stand
and face my own distress. But I was wrong; I couldn’t stand alone against my
own. I knew I was facing my own destruction.
I remembered when I attended mass years ago, at the homily
the priest said, “Every time you say, ‘Peace be with you’, make sure that you
mean it because you might not know that the person next to you needs it.” When
I heard those words years back, I understood what he meant. But I never expect
that one day, I would be the person who needs it.
I prayed for peace of mind.
I was lost and I didn’t know what to do. I relentlessly
looked for answers within myself but I couldn’t find any. I wanted to be free
from all the thoughts that consumed me.
I hit rock bottom as I slowly losing my grip to my sanity.
It was hard for me to share my thoughts with anyone because
it’s not in my personality to be open about my emotions. For me, I always
choose to be in control with my feelings and choose to handle it myself. It’s
not that I don’t trust people, I just don’t want to be a burden for anyone and
I was afraid to be judged.
I tried to live as normal as I could and kept up my façade
even though I’m struggling deep down. But it came to a point where I felt tired
of fighting against my own thoughts. I was so scared of those thoughts running
through my mind so I chose to put an end to it.
I step out of my comfort zone. I was honestly scared but I
still tried.
I vented out my thoughts to some of my colleagues and
friends but they simply told me that I was only going through a phase and I can
get through it. But then, deep inside, I knew their advice was no help for me.
I got disappointed and so, I then decided to keep my mouth shut because at that
moment I knew no one would understand. I began to realize that it’s hard when
others used to see you as a cheerful one. Moreover, it’s hard when they are
used to see you strong and capable of doing things because they know you can
handle your problems alone when in fact, you’re in your most vulnerable.
I decided to quit my job and have a break from everything
and everyone around me. At first, it was scary because I was afraid that I
might regret my decision. To add more to my worries, there were people who
questioned my decision to leave. But I guess, my resiliency and tenacity to
find myself again were much more powerful and important than what other people
think and will say. For me, I did the right thing. I chose the right choice and I know it will
be worth it.
In the past few months, I learned many things I failed to
ponder on before. I was in the process of forgiving myself for all the things
that I had done and had failed to do. I learned to make every day count and to
cherish every moment. I learned to be more vocal about my emotions and
thoughts. I learned to embrace my weaknesses and appreciate my strengths. I
learned that by being broken we could rebuild ourselves to be the best version
of ourselves.
It was undeniably a tough fight, but by continuously pushing
yourself, standing up and believing that you deserve better than living a life
full of negative thoughts are the most important steps to help yourself. I
realized that there is no shame in admitting that you need help because it’s
not all the time that we’re strong to face our problems alone.
There will be a lot of times when we will feel the heavy
loads on our shoulders and there will be times that we will get hurt,
frustrated and broken. But these things mold us to become a better version of
ourselves. Facing these difficult times will lead us to the discovery of our
inner power and strength, and the people who truly love us. We only have one
shot to do whatever we want in this lifetime. The only one that stopping is
from truly enjoying it is ourselves.
This isn’t a usual success story that talked about rags to
riches. This isn’t a story that inspires those who wanted to become bosses or a
story of winning the lottery. Nevertheless, this is a story that wishes to
inspire and remind us to be more sensitive, caring and understanding that
everyone is fighting a battle we know nothing about, so never judge someone
just because of what you see on the outside.
This is a story of choosing and discovering oneself. A story
of failure but learning to stand up against adversity. A story of hope. A story
of finding and embracing yourself. This is my own story. This is me finding my
way back to life.
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