From Jean-Marie

Dear You,

If you’re reading this while feeling lost, exhausted, or overwhelmed by your thoughts, I want you to know that I have been in that place too. There were days where even getting out of bed felt impossible, where the weight of everything felt too heavy to carry. On those days, it was hard to imagine that things could ever change.

One thing I slowly came to realise is how unpredictable feelings can be. When I was in the middle of a dark moment, my mind would convince me that the way I felt would last forever. But over time I noticed something surprising: sometimes the very next day could feel completely different. A day that began with heaviness could end with a small moment of peace, or even joy.

It didn’t mean everything was suddenly perfect, but it reminded me that feelings move and shift. What feels unbearable today might soften tomorrow. That realisation helped me hold on during the hardest moments.

I once wrote a few lines to remind myself of that truth, and I share them with you now in case they bring you even a small amount of comfort:

Oh it is a mystery, you’ll find it rather odd,

How you manage to get up every morning — it’s only by the grace of God.

How complex is the human mind, how we always make it through,

Just when we think we can’t go on anymore, tomorrow starts anew.

The fog will lift, the sun will rise, and we get another go,

If you ever feel like giving up, I think that you should know.

Feelings are fickle — ride out the funk, I promise it gets better,

I know myself how resilient the psyche is, that’s why I wrote this letter.

Yesterday was a bad day, I was full of sorrow and dismay,

And today I’m having the best day ever — see, this is why you stay.

Recovery has not been a straight line for me. Some days have been incredibly hard, and other days have surprised me with moments of hope I didn’t expect. What helped me most was remembering that the mind can change, and that even when I felt stuck, time continued moving forward.

If you are struggling right now, please know that your feelings are real and valid — but they are not permanent. The mind is capable of healing and shifting in ways that can be hard to see when you’re in the middle of pain.

If you can, just focus on getting through today. Sometimes that is more than enough.

You are not alone in feeling the way you do, and many people who once felt the same way have found light again. I truly believe that possibility exists for you too.

With hope,

Jean-Marie