A few months ago, I found myself reflecting on something simple, yet deeply important: How are we really doing? Not on the surface. Not the “I’m fine” we tell coworkers or the “All good” we reply in texts. But really—beneath the noise, beneath the roles we play—how are we feeling? Life today is noisy, fast, and relentless. We wear busyness like a badge and mistake numbness for strength. But the truth is, mental health isn't a trend or luxury. It's the quiet foundation beneath everything that matters. So I did something unexpected. I reached out to people from different walks of life—elders, veterans, teachers, artists, survivors—anyone who had seen the world change over decades. I asked a single, honest question: "If you could give your younger self one piece of mental health advice, what would it be?" The answers were raw, loving, and deeply earned—echoes from people who’ve carried grief, joy, fear, and hope through a changing world. Here is what 500+ years of lived wisdom had to say about taking care of your mind and heart: 1. You don’t have to earn rest. Being tired is reason enough. Lay down. Breathe. 2. Talk to someone. Silence feeds shame. Speaking frees it. 3. Your thoughts are not facts. Not every anxious whisper is telling the truth. 4. There is strength in saying “I’m struggling.” It’s not weakness. It’s wisdom. 5. Don’t wait for a breakdown to prioritize mental health. Preventative care isn’t just for bodies. It's for souls, too. 6. You are not behind. Life isn’t a race. There is no perfect timeline. 7. Forgive yourself. You’re still learning. You always will be. 8. Move your body daily—even a little. It clears your head more than you think. 9. Comparison will steal your peace. Especially online. Their highlight reel isn’t your full story. 10. Feeling sad doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means you’re human. 11. Say no without guilt. Protecting your peace is not selfish—it’s sacred. 12. Keep a small joy list. Sun on your face. A favorite song. Coffee in silence. Small joys = big medicine. 13. Don’t believe everything depression tells you. It lies. You matter. Stay. 14. Seek help early. Therapy isn't a last resort. It's a path to understanding. 15. Let yourself cry. Tears aren’t weakness—they’re how pain leaves the body. 16. Make space for slowness. Healing doesn’t happen in a rush. 17. Boundaries are love. To others—and to yourself. 18. Check in with yourself like you do with others. “Hey, how are you really?” Ask it. Listen. 19. Not everyone deserves access to your energy. Be kind. But be discerning. 20. Healing is not linear. Some days will feel like setbacks. Keep going anyway. 21. Joy is just as valid as struggle. Let yourself feel both—without guilt. 22. Medication is not weakness. Brains are organs. Support them however needed. 23. Let go of perfection. You’re not here to be flawless. You’re here to be whole. 24. Nature is therapy. Go outside. Breathe deeply. Let the earth ground you. 25. You are enough—even on your worst day. Especially on your worst day. A Final Word Mental health isn’t about being happy all the time. It’s about being honest. Gentle. Curious. Present. It’s about making space for the full range of human experience—joy, grief, anxiety, calm—and knowing you are still worthy in all of it. So here’s to slowing down. To checking in. To asking for help. And to never, ever going it alone. You are not behind. You are not broken. You are becoming.