This is incredibly true. I’ve gone through much of my life saying, “I don’t know, what do you think?” Where has that gotten me? A lot of following along, and going for rides on others’ journeys. And many years not knowing what I want, who I am, and what drives me.

It wasn’t until a few special people valued my opinion and what makes me Kristen. Those people have forced me to make decisions, they ask about what I love, they push me toward my dreams. The others have pushed me toward what was convenient for them and their dreams, even if it was of detriment to my mental health. Those people didn’t care about me becoming my full self.

Recovery is not only changing yourself internally, and your reactions to the world around you. It’s also changing relationships with those that may not be pushing you in the right direction. Setting boundaries for those that don’t drive you toward your purpose. Anxiety gremlins push me away from my dreams enough – why include others in that story that make it even more difficult?

Dig into your people that dig into you – the others can pave their own paths instead of using you to make their dreams happen.

Kristen Ellis

Kristen has worked in the mental health field since 2013, with a focus on crisis work, substance use services, and bringing a voice to lived experience. Her ambition is to change the way mental health care and recovery is seen and achieved, so to redefine what it means to defeat adversity.