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The Leap of Faith
I recorded this episode because there are so many of us who are struggling on the inside while appearing as though we’re absolutely fine on the outside. Being high functioning is one of those elusive things because it can be really hard to understand whether you’re high functioning or not.
High-functioning mental health warriors often have successful careers, families, and ambition. We often travel, seem well put together, and do all the things, and yet, on the inside, there is a narrative going on that hardly anybody knows about. A narrative that we’re good at hiding. A narrative that, if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably gotten into the habit of concealing.
The problem with this is that when we have a life that’s functional, where we’re able to operate, we’re far less likely to get the help we need. And so more and more people are suffering in silence, holding their breath, and waiting for whatever they’re struggling with to go away.
In this episode, I unpack what it means to be a high-functioning mental health warrior. I bust some misconceptions and reflect on a few things that you need to know if you are a high-functioning mental health warrior. I also give you some tips on how you can get to know yourself a little better, take care of yourself emotionally, and cope with your body’s way of dealing with things.
If you are, or think you might be, a high-functioning mental health warrior, I wrote this episode specially for you. I see you. I am you. And I have been you.
What You’ll Hear Me Talk About in This Episode
What it means to be a high-functioning mental health warrior
Habitual responses and protective mechanisms
Myths relating to being high functioning
The importance of talking about being high functioning
Things you might not expect about high-functioning mental health warriors
Why your experience of mental health is valid
Self-care techniques you can try if you are high functioning
Labels in mental health
Main Takeaways from My Experience
The mask you wear isn’t a choice or something you necessarily notice; it’s a protective mechanism you’ve developed over time.
Being a high-functioning mental health warrior can be exhausting.
There are so many misconceptions surrounding mental health, and your experience of it will be unique.
Ignoring your mental health and pushing it down does not heal your mental health.
Your experience is valid, even when others don’t see it.
You deserve to thrive in this life and not just survive.
You are not alone.
Resources
The Stepford Wives - film directed by Frank Oz
Headspace Guide to Meditation - Netflix series
Calm - meditation and sleep app
Insight Timer - daily meditation app
If you are a high-functioning mental health warrior, I see you and I hold space for you because I understand how difficult and tiring it can be. But I want you to know that this doesn’t have to be the end of your story. There are healing options out there. Support is available. And there are so many other people going through a similar internal conflict to the one you’re experiencing. If you’d like to share your experiences with me, you can find me on Instagram @maddie_shebered and just @shebered, or you can send me an email at connect@shebered.com.
What does it mean to be high functioning? It’s hard to understand whether you’re high functioning because it’s something that isn’t visible and that so few people talk about. In this episode, I unpack what it means to be a high-functioning mental health warrior and give you some self-care techniques to help you cope if you are one.