Starting a new year often feels like standing at the edge of a diving board — there's the thrill of the unknown, the pressure of expectations, and the daunting plunge back into the deep end of work and routine.
I get it.
But as January rolls into February, the buzz of resolutions starts to fade, and the weight of the year ahead settles on our shoulders. It's the season of ambition, but also of silent battles and unspoken stress.
I’m not your typical speaker on mental health. My story? It’s a bit like a game of professional Jenga. From the outside, I had all the pieces stacked up neatly — Head Prefect, top grades, the life and soul of every circle I stepped into. But inside, I was playing a precarious game, each success another block pulled from my tower of wellbeing, all driven by an unseen hand — my own struggles with OCD and General Anxiety Disorder.
My high anxiety and nervous energy weren't just companions; they were the engine and the fuel that powered me through life. And like any engine pushed too hard, eventually, there's a risk it'll overheat and shut down. That's precisely what happened — my professional façade crumbled, and I was forced to face the music: I needed to slow down, to breathe, to find balance.
A sprint before the race has begun
The new year, with its hustle back to work and the pressure to set resolutions, can feel like a sprint before the race has even begun. And this pressure isn't just a January thing: with numerous deadlines and inevitable regulatory changes and curveballs, it's an all-year-round tightrope walk.
Let me tell you, it's okay to step off the tightrope. It's okay to say, "I need a moment." I've been there — juggling the demands of a high-intensity career with the whispers of anxiety that echoed louder in quiet moments. It's why I decided to stand up, speak out, and share my journey. Not for applause or accolades, but to light the path for others walking similar tightropes, to let them know they're not alone.
So, as we navigate this potentially stressful month, let's make it about more than just survival. Let's make it about thriving, about crafting spaces for honest conversations, about swapping the mask of “I'm fine” for the freedom of “I'm real, and I'm not alone”.
Because here's the thing — when I finally shared my story, the relief was palpable
Not just for me, but for those who listened, who saw a bit of themselves in my words, and who felt the permission to share their stories, too. This isn't just about mental health; it's about mental connection, about the power of 'me too,' about creating a space where vulnerability isn't a weakness but the very thing that binds us together.
As we forge ahead into 2024, let's do it with a promise to ourselves: to be kinder, to listen more, to judge less. Let's set resolutions that aren't just about doing more, but about being more — more present, more compassionate, more authentic.
Let's make this year different. Let's talk about what's hard, let's share what's real, and let's create a culture where the first question we ask isn't “What do you do?” but “How are you, really?” And let's answer honestly. Because that's where the magic happens - where we start to turn the tides, not just in our businesses, but in our lives.
