It’s helpful for me to set goals because it points me in the right direction on my journey. The biggest thing that overwhelms me, though, is when I can only see the end and not see how to get there.

I wanted to become a licensed therapist – all I saw were the years of school, stress, practicum, more stress, studying, and more stress. My husband and I wanted to grow our family – all I saw were roadblocks of infertility, doctors, medications, diagnoses, and lack of hope. I wanted to lessen my relationship with anxiety – all I saw was something that had been with me my whole life and wasn’t sure how it could go away. Those were all dreams I had, and if I had only focused on the end, and not how I would get there, it would be a miserable journey toward happiness.

Are the roads simple and easy? Absolutely not. For the latter two, it’s still a journey. (I did get licensed in 2018, though!) Has it been worth it to take things one day, one moment at a time and embrace the lessons along the way? Absolutely yes.

My relationship with anxiety has lessened, and still has some ways and time to go. The journey toward growing our family has been difficult, yet I was able to learn things about myself and my health that are huge blessings for my future.

My next actions? See what each day gives me, and choose to respond to it in that moment. I hope the same for you on your journeys.

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.