I’m The Mental Health Girl — And No, I Don’t Have It All Figured Out. Here’s Why That’s Okay.

Dear Diary —

Or honestly… dear whoever came across this post while deep scrolling at 2 a.m. I am to blame for that, I do that most nights. I pretend I’m going to bed at 11 pm. Well I don’t pretend because I really try to be in bed at that time and then the scrolling happens. And it becomes 2 am, and I’m a walking hot mess the next day. Welcome. Let’s get real for a second.

I’m writing this while listening to Circle of Life from The Lion King and eating Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Chip gluten free Cookie Dough ice cream, because why not? It’s one of those nights where everything feels a little too much, and honestly, ice cream just feels like a safe place to emotionally spiral. Oh, and I’m totally emotionally spiralling today.

I’m crying tonight. Not like a dramatic sob… more like a soft, “don’t look at me too long or I’ll unravel” kind of cry. The truth? I miss my grandmother. It’s been three years without her, and not a day goes by that I don’t wish I could call her, hear her voice, or have her tell me everything’s going to be okay. This song always brings me back to her, and not in a light, fluffy Disney way. More like: emotional gut punch, but with harmonies.

But that’s not the only reason I’m sad.

I’m also extremely moody. Like… if you looked at me sideways in Starbucks today, I might have thrown up my hands. (I wouldn’t actually, because violence isn’t very for Britt. I cry when I see animals on the side of the road crushed. So I’m a softie. And a real lover girl. But my look today? The look would have said it all.

So yeah. Maybe I’m hormonal. Maybe it’s my endometriosis I’ve been diagnosed with a year ago and still dealing with the aftermath and the moody days. I really do have an excuse to say I’m just hormonal. Or maybe it’s my Pisces horoscope telling me today that let your emotions out and it will guide you to a new door.

Maybe I’m grieving.

Maybe I just need a nap, a hug, and a forehead kiss from the universe.

Or maybe all of the above. Honestly, at this point, who can tell?

I could blame it on hormones, but truthfully?

I’m just a 27-year-old girl trying to stay afloat in a world that never really taught us how to feel our feelings and function at the same time.

Let’s get one thing out of the way:

I didn’t choose to become “The Mental Health Girl.”

Life handed me that title — with a side of anxiety, overthinking, people-pleasing, and more rock bottoms than I’d like to admit.

I’m not here to list my résumé or tell you everything I’ve done … you can look me up on google if you’re curious.

What matters is this: I know what it’s like to struggle. And that’s what keeps me coming back, to speak up, to tell the truth, to talk about the things that scare us.

I’ve been doing this work for over a decade now , and even in the moments when I wanted to give up, I didn’t.

Because I don’t speak from a pedestal. I speak from experience.

I’m 27. I still cry in public bathrooms sometimes.

I talk to my therapist like she’s my best friend.

I’ve ghosted group chats and read horoscopes for emotional clarity.

I romanticize my healing journey… but also disassociate in the grocery store. I like to blame bad things on horoscopes, which may be a slight reason for the disaster in my life but I have to take accountability at some point. I’ll be honest with you, it hasn’t been easy. I was in a toxic relationship and almost lost myself and finally ended it with him a year ago. Being single has been the greatest adventure of my life- and no, the dating wasn’t the greatest, it was one disaster date after the next. But what I learnt is that for the first time in my life I am putting myself first. And I’m staying focused on my dreams and goals.

I’ve spent most of my life trying to look “put together.”

Say the right thing. Be the strong one. Be productive. Be calm. Be cool.

Be someone who doesn’t randomly cry in the toothpaste aisle.(But I have. Twice.) Be silent. Don’t talk about politics. Don’t share your honest opinions.

Here’s what I’ve learned: not having it all figured out isn’t failure — it’s being human.

We’re not here to be perfect.

We’re here to be real.

Messy. Growing. Spiraling. Learning how to come back to ourselves.

One day you’re doing inner child healing, the next you’re binge-watching reality TV while texting your ex and eating cold pizza. Both can be true.

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What This Diary Is — and Isn’t

This isn’t a self-help blog.

It’s not here to fix you, or promise five steps to happiness.

It’s a space for the in-between moments, the confusing, beautiful, raw parts of being human that don’t always make it to the highlight reel.

Some days, I’ll write about mental health and burnout.

Other days, it might be crying during a movie, spiraling in the middle of Walmart, or what Sabrina Carpenter lyrics just wrecked me emotionally.

There will be:

• Pop culture breakdowns

• Healing playlists

• Comfort TV deep dives

• Soft advice

• Probably a few breakdowns wrapped in humor

And even on the days when I want to stay in bed, delete Instagram, and pretend I don’t care, I remember why I started this.

I remember younger me. The girl who felt too much and had no one to talk to.

That’s why I keep writing. For her. For me. For you. For all of us who are just trying to make sense of the mess .Whether you’re also crying in the middle of Walmart, or you're even thriving, or barely surviving, maybe somewhere in between, this space is for you. You don’t have to have it together to belong here. You just have to be honest. This isn’t just my diary. It’s ours.

So if something resonates, share it. If something helps, pass it on.

And if you ever feel like no one gets it… come back here. I do.

This is for the girl who’s trying.

The one who’s healing, spiraling, coping, rebuilding, and showing up, even when she’s falling apart a little.

So if you’re in your “I don’t know what I’m doing but I’m still trying” era…

Hi. You’re not alone. You’re doing better than you think.

This is Diary of The Mental Health Girl.

And I’m so glad you're here.

Now if you’ll excuse me, Can You Feel the Love Tonight just came on.

So… yeah. Feelings.

I’m not here to preach. I’m just here to be honest.

If you’ve ever said “I’m fine” with tears in your eyes, spiraled at 2 a.m. for no reason, or felt like you’re too much and not enough at the same time, welcome.

This is your space too.

So yeah...

Hi. I’m The Mental Health Girl.

And this is my diary.

Until next time,

Cry if you need to, laugh if you can, and never stop showing up, even if all you did today was survive.

With love,

Brittany

The Mental Health Girl

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Resources (For When Life Feels Like A Lot)

I’m not a therapist. I’m just a girl with feelings, a mission WiFi, and a lot of late-night thoughts. So if you ever need a little extra support — here are a few places I trust to help when the vibes are off and the emotions are loud:

https://www.brittkrystantos.com/mental-health-resources