I am proud of myself. Celebrating with cinnamon bears, feelgood movies on netflix and the pets are rolling in food comas from treats.

I didn't really tell anyone. I went cold turkey. I was spiraling down a black hole of depression and anxiety. I felt like I was losing my mind.

It was hard, but I've done it. I am going to keep going as well. This was a lifetime change.

Now I have my chronic health issues back under control, have gained weight back to a normal BMI, and am back on medication that let's me live with my PTSD as a small pebble instead of a boulder on my back. Even my supervisor at work acknowledged my new calm demeanor and gave me a raise!

I am alive. I am in charge of my life. I am strong.

So I raise my tea mug to my fellow peers out there who may be struggling, who may feel weighted down but are still fighting. There is hope, you can do this.

In the words of Kimya Dawson, "WALK LIKE THUNDER".