Identity Independent of Psychosocial Disability
Living with mental illness is like navigating through a landmine, where every turn presents new challenges and obstacles. Yet, amidst the chaos lies profound moments of self-discovery, uncovering layers of identity beyond the confines of our conditions.
The Stigma, Unfortunately Exists.
Mental illness is often misunderstood, stigmatised, and oversimplified. It's not merely a label; it's a complex interplay of biology, environment, and personal experiences. However, it doesn't define us entirely. We are so much more than a DSM definition. While the impact of a condition may shape our experiences and perceptions, it's only one aspect of our multifaceted selves. And we can work through the filters of those distorting experiences and perceptions.
Personal Example.
I lost contact with who I am after years of all my time and energy going to managing the effects of my conditions to function as independently as possible. Everything had become about what I couldn't do and needed support with and why—no focus on what I could do with the proper support.
Unraveling the Layers of Identity.
Living with mental illness forces us to confront our vulnerabilities, fears, and insecurities. Yet, within these struggles lies an opportunity for greater self-awareness. As we navigate the extreme highs and lows, we unearth hidden strengths, resilience, and aspects of ourselves we never knew existed. We can also find our way back to the middle with the right environment, resources and support.
Personal Example.
When a support worker took me to look at an art studio in Footscray, I had no idea I'd meet someone, who I'll refer to as AC, who would see me as someone who could do things. I told AC the art I made was therapy I'd throw out. I just needed to do it to recover from a functional seizure until I could write again. He saw my art as art with commercial value. It took me a long time and a lot of tears to understand what he meant by that and look at what I was doing in this way. It took even more tears and time to get around to pricing the art and understanding it as a product for sale.
Cultivating Self-Compassion and Acceptance.
Self-compassion is the cornerstone of resilience in the face of mental illness. It involves embracing our imperfections, acknowledging our pain, and treating ourselves with kindness, patience and understanding. Through self-compassion, we learn to navigate the complexities of our minds with grace and acceptance, fostering a sense of wholeness and belonging within ourselves.
A year later, AC played a significant role in reconnecting me with aspects of myself that had been dormant since I became too unwell to teach Creative Writing to undergraduates at the University of Melbourne in 2012. He saw me as someone with a PhD who created a successful oracle deck and could paint. He didn't see why there couldn't be a way that I could meaningfully connect with and contribute to society with what I can do now. He said I needed a solid strategy that accommodated the effects of my conditions. He could also see that I had no plan; strategy helps me understand how to establish realistic goals and ways to achieve them by seriously considering and accommodating managing the impact of my conditions and their effects.
Pursuing Meaning and Purpose.
Living with mental illness doesn't negate our ability to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives. It often amplifies our quest for purpose and connection. By aligning our actions with our values and passions, we transcend the limitations of our conditions, finding fulfilment in the pursuit of authenticity and contribution to the world around us.
Since September last year, AC has become an intentional part of my support team. Assisting me in developing the skills and building the capacity to have an empowered mindset, life and projects where the emphasis is on everything else there is to me alongside the effects of disability. Although my mind does not work like before the last seizure, it still works very well and intelligently. Working with him has allowed me to experience myself this way again.
The challenging rollercoaster of living with mental illness becomes a transformative process once we rediscover who we are beyond its effects.
Living with mental illness is fraught with challenges, but it's also full of self-discovery and growth. By embracing our identities beyond the confines of our conditions, challenging societal expectations, cultivating self-compassion, and pursuing meaning and purpose, we empower ourselves to live authentically and resiliently.
Approaching life with courage, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to embracing the fullness of who we are is not easy. I can't think of anything more healing and motivating than having a part of my life devoted to what I can do with sufficient support.
AC has helped me reconnect with who I am beyond my conditions and do something empowering with that. I love how the Romulus Folio and brand have evolved from our discussions, and he continuously pushes and challenges me to realise what I can still do because I attend all of my appointments and do everything I’ve been advised to maintain the level of wellbeing I’ve recovered.
I am capable of doing more than I had been two years ago. For example, I have more waking hours each day than I did with chronic fatigue each year for the past two years. Having a brand that stands for overcoming adversity and showcasing what I can do is unexpected and exciting. Hopefully, when the time is right, Romulus can collaborate with organisations and others who navigate the effects of psychosocial disability and obstacles of having a neurodivergent brain to showcase what they can do, too.