Hi Donte',
Thanks for the question. I do agree. In my journey to recovery, I have learnt a lot, I have grown in wisdom and in strength and my ability to face life's challenges has increased. My family sees it like that as well, and the people around me, who have grown quite supportive of my recovery journey often highlight the positives of going through mental illness and recovering.
But can I be honest? I know it feels like the wrong answer, that I should say that our experiences shape us, and that without our life's challenges and illness we cannot become who we are today, and these things are true, but honestly? Given the choice? I wish I didn't go through the journey. The journey sucked! Recovery was hard to say the least, and it still is. It always will be.
In terms of destination, I think there's not always a destination, because mental illness is often a lifelong battle. Sometimes people are lucky and it comes and goes away. But for most, it's like a cold. You'll deal with it year after year. The trick is learning how to manage it.
What do you think?
Josette xx