Living with mental health challenges has been a deeply personal journey for me. Over time, I’ve understood the importance of managing these struggles and minimising their impact on the people around me. This path has been filled with moments of difficulty but has also brought opportunities for reflection and growth.
Acknowledging the Struggle
Depression has been a persistent presence in my life, often making many interactions and tasks feel overwhelming. Simple tasks and daily life activities are a struggle, and I get deeply frustrated when my shortcomings affect others. I’ve always been acutely aware of how my struggles can impact those closest to me, and this awareness often leads to feelings of guilt and then withdrawal. People have been very patient with me, and when their patients wears thin, they understandably and rightly distanced themselves from me. It’s essential to surround yourself with people who uplift and encourage you, and I’m not one of those people. With this in mind, I want to take this opportunity to apologise to those I have hurt or impacted over the years. I deeply regret any frustration I’ve caused and am committed to continuing my journey of self-improvement.
Managing Through Careful Therapy
To limit the negative impact my challenges have on others, I follow a carefully managed drug therapy. This includes medications like Sertraline, Concerta, and Trazodone, which help me maintain stability and functionality. While these medications are not a cure, they provide a foundation that allows me to manage my mental health better and focus on making positive changes.
Finding Focus Through Projects
I’ve learned to cope by channelling my energy into focused projects. When I’m engaged in meaningful work—building things, creating content, or tackling a challenging task. I find a sense of clarity and purpose that keeps me grounded. These moments remind me of my capabilities and provide a much-needed counterbalance to the weight of self-doubt.
Using Gifts to Make a Difference
Despite my limitations, I’ve discovered the power of using my gifts to help others. One of the driving forces behind my work is the belief that even small contributions can have a meaningful impact. This is why I’ve launched the 2025 Challenge—a project focused on installing power and internet solutions in some of the most underserved and needy communities. Through this initiative, I hope to provide essential resources that enable education, connection, and opportunity for those who need it most.
Helping others brings me a sense of fulfilment and reminds me that my struggles don’t define my capacity to contribute meaningfully to the world.
The Role of Tools in Overcoming Challenges
As someone with dyslexia, expressing myself has always been a challenge. Tools like ChatGPT and Grammarly have been transformative, allowing me to communicate more effectively and confidently. Finding tools that align with your needs can be vital in overcoming challenges and expressing yourself freely. These resources enable me to share my ideas, connect with others, and contribute meaningfully without being held back by my learning disabilities.
My Faith Journey
My Christian faith has been a central part of my journey. It provides a source of stability and guidance, reminding me that I am not alone in my struggles and that my shortcomings do not define my worth. It challenges me to love and serve others, even when I feel inadequate.
The 2025 Challenge, for instance, is not just about providing practical solutions—it’s about living out my belief that everyone is valued and deserves opportunities to thrive. My faith inspires me to look beyond myself and trust that even in my imperfections, I can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Less of Me, More of God
In a world that often celebrates self-promotion, I’ve found it crucial to resist the temptation to become a victim for acknowledgement. My guiding principle is “less of me and more of God.” I strive to ensure that my life and work point not to my struggles or achievements but to the transformative power of faith and service. This perspective helps me focus on what truly matters: making a difference in the lives of others and glorifying God in the process.
That said, I’m not immune to social media’s pull. I often use these platforms to share projects and ideas I’m passionate about, hoping they might resonate with even a few people. Yet, it can be deeply disappointing to see hours of effort on meaningful content receive little attention while self-absorbed posts gain millions of likes. I continue to struggle with this tension between purpose and recognition.
Embracing Progress Over Perfection
While focusing on projects has been incredibly helpful, I recognise that balance remains challenging. Rather than striving for perfect equilibrium, I prioritise what’s most important at the moment. I’m still working on forgiving myself when I falter, but I’m determined to keep striving for progress.
Moving Forward with Intentionality
I’ve realised that acknowledging my challenges doesn’t mean defining myself by them. Instead, it’s about learning to manage them effectively and striving to be a positive presence in the lives of those around me. I’m committed to growth in how I manage my shortcomings in my mental health and my cognitive ability in finding solutions for problems other people might be facing.
This journey is ongoing, and while it isn’t always easy, it has taught me resilience and understanding. I hope my story encourages anyone on a similar path. Even in the most challenging moments, there is potential for growth and healing.
While we all have struggles in our lives, from finance to relationships and even learning to manage physical and mental health issues, sometimes taking the time to create your own 2025 challenge that might help others could be a powerful way in which you can make a positive contribution to those around you. I will continue to let people down, frustrate those around me, and feel terrible about the burden I place on others. However, if I can help even one person with the limited skills I possess, that’s a small step towards creating a better world, which should be a driving force in all of us.