The first time I was ever prescribed mental health medication was when I found myself on an involuntary hold in a mental health hospital. Ironically, I went to see a psychiatrist that I’d found online for the first time, thinking that he would prescribe me a few pills and send me on my way, but turns out people who want to end their lives don’t get sent along their way. He had me admitted as a danger to myself, and the psychiatrist at the hospital prescribed me Prozac and diagnosed me with Major Depressive Disorder.

Women are taught to aspire to marriage. We are taught to dream of the day that we will be promised a life of love and happiness, but I think it’s more important to honor my commitments to myself, so here they are. These are my vows to my damn self, may they serve as a guidepost to my peace and contentment.

In this post I will give you 3 common ways that we avoid grief, hopefully you will be able to recognize these signs in yourself if you are avoiding grief, and give yourself permission to grieve, feel the feelings, and allow them to heal you.