Hi @mw24
Thank you for sharing and good on you for accepting things as okay even when they aren't perfect, that's already a big feat.
I will admit that I am maybe what some people would call a "totally average" human being, and by that I mean that I'm fortunate enough to not be diagnosed with any mental health issues or concerns, nor do I think I am suffering from any (but undiagnosed). However, as a "normal" (for lack of better expression, I hate to use that term, because it isn't like you guys are not normal, or everyone is the same) person being surrounded by some friends who do suffer from mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, I always found myself minimising and reducing my problems. To me, it always felt like it was unfair, unnatural and incomparable to complain about my issues when what they are going through I probably could not imagine, and thus I always held this view that my issues would pale in comparison and that I probably shouldn't be complaining since my situation is nowhere near as bad. However, as you said, (and showed in that amazing diagram haha), everyone's okay line is a bit different, and this was something that I learnt about myself only recently, and so now my perspective has changed to even though my problems aren't as big as other people's, it doesn't mean my problems don't exist. And of course, the first step to fixing a problem is to recognise that the problem exists to begin with.
To me, it is important to remember that in these down times (below your "okay line"), it is okay to take some time for yourself, and to be a little selfish to prioritise your self care and your effort towards returning towards this "okay line". By selfish I don't mean in the traditional sense, but for example, you planned to go out to meet some friends but you aren't feeling the best. It's okay to cancel and to take the time for yourself to rest and recover from whatever is bogging you down.
I think it is great that you can have this new perspective on how to manage your bad times, that indicates growth and that's what we're all here to do. I hope you keep growing and keep getting better, and hopefully you can manage to be above the okay line more often than below in the near future and beyond!
