pocket thoughts

To the one whose mind feels like it belongs to someone else
You are not your diagnosis. You are a person living with a very hard set of symptoms, and you are still here.

When voices get loud or thoughts feel too intense, try this: name where you are, what date it is, and that you are an adult.

Use your senses:
5 things you can see
4 you can feel
3 you can hear
2 you can smell
1 you can taste

Remind yourself:

“This is a symptom. I do not have to obey it.” You are allowed to tell the truth about what you experience. You are allowed to ask for help. You are allowed to take medication, to rest, to say, “This is too much right now,” without shame.

Like a magnolia that stands through storms and still blooms, you are allowed to have difficult seasons and still be worthy of beauty, peace, and care.