There was a time in my life when I was worried I was losing my mind. In fact, I think I did a little… But one of the strings of sanity I managed to hold on to was that little bit that said: “Mandy, you know you’re slipping. Slow down now and lean on Drew.” I won’t go into the details, but it was tough. If I wasn’t at work, I was at home feeling too overwhelmed to do anything or go anywhere. Getting out took major mental and emotional effort. For the most part I was able to hide it, but on the inside I couldn’t really “cope” with the everyday stuff. I have enough counseling training to know that this is the #1 indicator of something being wrong, which only confirmed my worries.

Once I realized what was triggering all of this, I waited it out. I knew it’d come to an end. And it did. But in the midst, I felt like I was gonna be this way forever.

My biggest fear as a child was mental illness. Namely, ME being mentally ill. That my mind wouldn’t work properly in order for me to deal with life. That my brain would be broken.

Now I know better.

Now I know that I, just like everyone else, am little crazy – and this “crazy” can happen at varying degrees in different stages of life. We’re all like this. It makes us normal.

Some people might think I’m crazy because I can’t sleep in wrinkly sheets. Or because I have to tie my gym shoes to the same tightness before I work out. Or because I can’t stand super spicy foods. Or ’cause I get stressed out at parties. Or that I really really really don’t like surprises – pleasedon’teversurprisemeI’llhaveapanicattack. Or that I have an affinity for going two days without showering. Or that I can’t stand big cities.

You get the picture.

That’s me. That’s the everyday-crazy-Mandy.

What about you? How are you crazy?

Thanks, Marisa, for inspiring this post.