Embracing the journey: a young woman's heartfelt struggle

"Do shaol, do thuras", engraved on around the disc on the bracelet I wear every single day without fail. I bought it last year on a family trip to Ireland, one I thought I wouldn't live to go on to begin with.

I've struggled with depression my entire life, but in the last few years it has been tougher than ever. It all came to a head in 2021 when I attempted to take my life. However, thank goodness, I failed. In the following months, my family and friends encircled me and embraced me with such deep care and love. It was a true "hard reset" for me. It felt like everything in my life went on pause. While this was wonderful in the moment, and allowed me to take a breath, it derailed me completely once I was well enough to return to work and life.

My family tried to remind me that it was worth it as long as I was alive, and I did believe them, but it was hard to really remember that while trying to get everything back on track. It was my graduating year of school and I then felt as if there was no possible way I would get it done in time. My parents eventually had a conversation with me in which they told me that my life was already not the ideal course. I had already had a major hurdle that many others didn't have to handle. At this point, from there on, I had to make my own path forward. It was already not the picture perfect easy road, there was no point in trying to force it to be.

While I did go on to graduate on time, this is something I have held with me. And while we were exploring the beautiful sights of Ireland I kept seeing the enibas jewelry and seeing that bracelet and that phrase: "Do shaol, do thuras". Your life, your journey. On the final day in Ireland, I bought it. When I explained it to my parents they teared up. But it just rung so true for me. My life wasn't smooth or easy, and my journey reflected that. This wasn't something to be ashamed of, but something to embrace. This is my life, and this is my journey. I might as well truly make it mine.