Best mental health advice I was ever given

One of the most profound lessons I've personally learned about mental health is that healing is deeply tied to the environment you surround yourself with. It’s tempting to believe willpower alone can help us overcome setbacks and emotional wounds, but the reality is much more complex. Just as a plant can't thrive in toxic soil, our mental health cannot flourish if we're constantly exposed to harmful environments or people. From experience, creating a deliberate, supportive space—whether physical, emotional, or social—has been a game-changer. For example, I once stayed in a work environment that was draining, with constant criticism and little encouragement. Despite my best efforts, I felt stuck and worn out. It wasn’t until I recognized that no amount of self-improvement could counterbalance a toxic setting that I began making meaningful changes. Choosing yourself means setting boundaries and sometimes walking away from situations or relationships that impede your growth. This could mean distancing yourself from negative influences or seeking out communities where kindness and support prevail. Healing isn’t just about what you do internally; it equally involves the external conditions that nurture your progress. Implementing this advice, I found that when I prioritized environments that uplifted me—be it close friends, a peaceful home, or constructive workspaces—I experienced more resilience, motivation, and joy. Mental healing is an ongoing journey, but by refusing to stay in spaces that hurt us repeatedly, we plant the seeds for lasting wellbeing. This perspective resonates strongly with the advice from Chiara Mercurio’s "And Then I Chose Myself," reminding us that sustainable healing requires fertile soil free from judgment and belittlement.