What Taking Care of Your Mental Health Can Actually Look Like
Because it doesn’t have to be perfect—or pretty.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. And while that usually comes with polished posts and lists of morning routines, the truth is—taking care of your mental health doesn’t always look that put together. Sometimes it looks like texting someone back. Sometimes it’s crying in your car and still showing up. Sometimes it’s saying, “Not today. I don’t have it in me.”
If you’re someone who’s spent most of your life showing up for others—family, work, community—this is for you. Taking care of your mental health doesn’t mean being perfect or having it all figured out. It means learning how to come back to yourself, even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.
Here’s what that can actually look like in real life:
1. Saying no without apologizing
You don’t owe everyone an explanation. Saying no doesn’t make you rude—it makes you rooted. Boundaries are not about keeping people out; they’re about keeping you in alignment. Try starting small. Decline the invite. Skip the group chat for a few hours. Turn your phone on “Do Not Disturb” while you rest. That’s not selfish—it’s survival.
2. Letting something be easy
You don’t have to earn your rest. You can order the food. You can take the nap. You can let the laundry sit another day. Ease is not laziness—it’s nervous system care. Sometimes the most loving thing you can do for yourself is to stop pushing so hard and just let something be simple.
3. Naming what you feel—even if you can’t fix it
You don’t need all the answers. You just need honesty. Try:
“I feel overwhelmed.”
“I feel tired of pretending.”
“I feel… like I don’t even know how I feel.”
Naming it gets it out of your head and into the open. And that, in itself, is healing.
4. Reaching out before it becomes a crisis
You’re allowed to ask for help—even if things aren’t falling apart. You don’t have to wait until it gets unbearable to talk to someone. Whether that’s a friend who truly listens or a therapist who holds space for you, reaching out is a sign of strength. Not weakness.
5. Letting yourself want more peace—without guilt
You’re not too much for wanting a softer life. You don’t have to settle for barely getting by. You deserve to feel steady, supported, and well. Wanting more isn’t a luxury. It’s a quiet revolution—especially for those who were taught to put themselves last.
So what does mental health care really look like?
It’s everyday choices. Small shifts. Less pretending. More truth. It’s realizing that peace doesn’t always arrive all at once—it shows up in moments. In breathing deeper. In doing one kind thing for yourself today that you didn’t do yesterday.
At Walk With Me Counseling Center, we support adults across Illinois—especially those who’ve spent years giving to everyone but themselves. If you’re ready to feel more like you again, we’re here to help.
Taking that first step can feel big. We try to make it simple.
Peace doesn’t have to be a distant dream. It starts with small shifts—and one of them might be reaching out.
At Walk With Me Counseling Center, we make that part easy.
If you’d like to talk it through, you can schedule a free 15-minute call with our intake specialist. It’s just a conversation—no pressure, no commitment.
If you’re ready to take that next step, you can fill out our secure intake form. We’ll take care of the insurance details and share any costs up front, so there are no surprises—just support.
You’ve taken care of so much. Let this be the moment you choose to care for you.
P.S. Know someone else who could use this reminder?
Forward them this post. You never know who’s quietly looking for support.
