How To Start Your Healing Journey: Powerful Advice I Wish I Knew Sooner

Finding yourself at the starting point of your healing journey can be chaotic. Just like with every new beginning, there is a lot of doubt, uncertainty, and worry. When I decided to curb the downfall of my mental health, I knew exactly what I wanted to do; I just didn’t know how. 

Maybe you are just like me a few years back; you have a clear destination but do not yet own the tools to carve the path. That is alright!

Even if you feel lonely from where you stand, know in your heart that many people around you have been or are in the same position.

Healing is possible for everyone.

In this article, we unpack how to start your healing journey and provide some helpful ideas to make the process more effective.

I see you, and I believe in you. Let’s take this first step together!

How To Start Your Healing Journey?

When I started healing myself, I desperately needed something to grab onto. That’s why I love to share some tips I discovered along the way, hoping to give you a boost to kickstart your healing journey.

So, here are six tips on how to start your healing journey:

1. Do What Feels Right

Trust me, I get it; poor mental health is exhausting. The last thing you want is to strive to find solutions for yourself. However, you could read a thousand similar posts and self-help books, yet the truth is only one; there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

I found one criterion that helped me sort out the useful information from what was not serving me. I simply asked myself, does this feel right?

Don’t hesitate to try things, but always be mindful. Keep a healing journal and ask yourself these questions: Is it making me feel better? Is this sustainable? Do I see this improving my mental health and life in the long run?

However, keep in mind that sometimes, disregarding immediate gratification for achieving a long-term goal is more useful in healing. Try to keep a balance between what your gut and mind tell you.

2. Ask For Guidance

Like I said before, healing can feel very lonely, but it doesn’t have to be! There are so many people around you with similar experiences who are eager to share their journey and provide insights. Get all the information and motivation you need to get started!

There are a good number of social support groups, group chats, communities, and charities, you name it, that are dedicated to giving guidance to those starting on their healing journey. Otherwise, you can choose to get professional advice from a registered therapist if it is accessible to you.

Don’t be afraid to talk about your experiences. Vulnerability in a safe and non-judgmental environment can be liberating.

3. Explore The Possibilities

In the beginning, you might be in the dark about how to start your healing journey, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Don’t let that root you to the ground. Instead, be brave and explore the different routes you can take.

Find helpful resources and educate yourself about the process of healing. You can find seminars, books, or even free online advice. Seek the knowledge you need to be an active participant in the healing process.

4. Don’t Seek Perfection

The word perfection should vanish from your vocabulary. And that comes from a recovering perfectionist.

Healing is not another area to be scrutinized and evaluated for. It is something you do for yourself, and there is no space for unconstructive criticism.

The best thing you can do is embrace the Japanese philosophy of ganbatte. According to Japanese writer and philosopher Nobuo Suzuki, ganbatte means “do your best.” Your best can be 10% one day and 70% the next.

Instead of seeking perfection, aim for consistency. Focus on consistently taking one step at a time toward healing.

5. Don’t Get Discouraged By Relapses

We all want to just take the first step and be happy from now on. However, emotional relapses, bad moods, or negative thoughts are going to follow you. The healing journey is not linear.

But that doesn’t mean that you are taking steps back. Sometimes, progress can look like a bright day; other times, it will look like a lot of crying and swearing. Don’t let the “bad” instances discourage you.

Every breath is an opportunity for a fresh start!

6. Don’t Compare Your Journey To Others’

This is something I wish I had implemented earlier in my healing journey. Comparing yourself to others can turn healing into a competition. Who does it “better”? Who will get there faster?

However, it’s important that you take your time, take all the necessary steps, and do what works best for you. Everyone’s progress is going to look different because we are unique individuals with different experiences that shaped the trauma that led us here.  

What Are The Steps Of The Healing Journey?

Victoria Maxwell, a mental health speaker and person with bipolar disorder, is a veteran on the healing journey. Through her personal experiences, she has carved out the six steps of the healing process. She describes them as a woven tapestry. “When one part of the tapestry is restored, all aspects of the piece shift and improve.”  

1. Acceptance: Embracing the reality of your condition marks the first step toward healing. Acknowledging the challenges you face with compassion and openness is key to moving forward.
2. Insight: By acknowledging your situation, you gain deeper insight into its nuances and how it affects you. This understanding empowers you to recognize triggers, patterns, and warning signs.
3. Action: Armed with newfound awareness, you can take proactive steps to manage your well-being. Whether it’s seeking support, developing coping strategies, or making lifestyle adjustments, every action contributes to your healing journey.
4. Self-esteem: Each positive choice and action boosts your confidence and sense of self-worth. Celebrate your progress and recognize the strength it takes to navigate through challenges.
5. Healing: Through acceptance and intentional efforts, you pave the way for healing. This encompasses finding peace and fulfillment despite ongoing struggles and fostering a sense of purpose and meaning.
6. Meaning: As you progress on your healing journey, you integrate your experiences into a newfound sense of wholeness. Reflecting on your journey can reveal valuable insights, personal strengths, and meaningful connections, shaping your sense of purpose and understanding.

Your healing journey so far may look different than Victoria’s. Again, each of us will make progress at our own pace and in our own way!

9 Ways To Heal Yourself

Here, you can find some useful tips and activities to integrate into your healing journey. Filter through them with a critical eye, sorting out the ones that resonate with you.

1. Be Self-Compassionate And Non-Judgmental

Our words dictate our thoughts and perspectives. Avoid being harsh, critical, and derogatory. Be mindful of your inner critic and try shifting your self-talk from negative to motivational and self-compassionate. 

2. Prioritize Yourself

Healing takes a lot of time and effort. So much so I like to think of it as a full-time job. Most of us, however, don’t have the luxury to drop our nine-to-five to focus on our healing. Therefore, it is crucial to at least protect your energy from people and situations that tend to waste it.

Prioritize yourself by setting boundaries, learning to say no, cutting off excess responsibilities, and letting go of relationships that drain you. Put yourself first, and the rest will follow.

3. Don’t Pretend To Be Okay

Pretending to be okay when you are not is extremely exhausting and emotionally destructive. Masking your struggles is harming both yourself and your relationships. It generates isolation and a chronic feeling of being misunderstood.

Do not be afraid to communicate your thoughts and emotions, and don’t shy away from revealing your challenges. Allowing people to witness your true state creates opportunities for honest and meaningful communication.

And if some become intimidated by your fullest expression, you can let them go, knowing they were unwilling or unable to properly show up for you. 

4. Devote Time To Self-Care

Anything that fills your cup and makes you happy can be considered self-care. Self-care is not reserved for special occasions. It should be an integral part of daily life as a way to unwind and recharge our batteries.

It is a way of expressing self-love and a perfect opportunity to return to ourselves after a busy day. I encourage you to indulge in TLC for the body, mind, and soul consistently every day for at least five minutes (here, you can find hand-picked 5-minute self-care ideas).

5. Find Constructive Ways To Channel Emotions

There are no “bad” emotions, but there certainly are bad coping strategies. Try to avoid drowning negative feelings with drinking, overeating, or staying up late. Instead, explore activities that can help you express and maybe process pent-up emotions.

Anything goes, from childhood hobbies to karaoke and some HIIT. As long as it is safe, enjoyable, and manages to release some of your steam, then it’s perfect.   

6. Build Healthy Habits And Routines

One of the main reasons I made it through my healing journey is sticking to solid routines and habits. At first, I didn’t make progress because I didn’t have the drive to commit to my well-being. That is why I began automating some activities that were proving helpful.

I built the habit of going for walks when feeling down. I also created a daily routine of waking up early and doing yoga to relieve my morning stress. Having some sort of structure will help you remain consistent and lift some pressure off your shoulders. 

7. Try Therapy

The moment I realized I was going down a slippery slope, I booked my therapist, and I haven’t stopped consulting her since. Therapy has helped me trace the roots of my mental health issues and provided me with practical ways to cope.

I now consider myself much more self-aware and resilient. If it is accessible to you, I cannot recommend going to therapy enough.

8. Find A Supportive Network

Feeling heard, seen, and supported throughout the healing process can give you an invaluable boost. Therefore, having a safe space to share your journey is crucial. Find open-minded people who are willing to listen without judging or imposing their opinions.

9. Detect Your Triggers And Prevent Breakdowns

Investigate situations, people, or environments that tend to exacerbate your symptoms or lead to distress. By doing so, try to identify your triggers and construct ways to prevent or moderate your exposure to them.

It is also helpful to develop coping strategies to manage breakdowns safely and effectively, like isolating to a quiet space, tapping on your hands and knees, or listening to calming music.

Conclusion

I hope this article provided some guidance on how to start your healing journey. Before I bid you goodbye, I want to give you some final advice.

As you progress, remember: don’t take your mistakes so seriously, but always celebrate your victories, no matter how small. Appreciate your extraordinary strength for bringing you so far. Know that you are worthy of love, support, and healing every step of the way.

Don’t hesitate to begin your healing journey. I am rooting for you!