A Journey of Reflection and Connection: Navigating Mental Health and Wellness in Your 20s

29 years old — my final year before turning 30. I’ve never reflected on my life so deeply before. Call it a mid-life or quarter-life crisis, but through this time of self-reflection, I’ve discovered a new purpose and a fresh perspective on life. It’s a journey I’m excited to embark on, and maybe, it’s one you’ll join me on too.

Through this period of reflection, I realized just how much has shaped me over the past 15 years. At 15, I left home in Hong Kong for boarding school in Upstate New York. I’ve since lived in Manhattan, Florence, Italy, and then returned to Hong Kong to begin my career. Looking back, my life has been eventful — full of growth and lessons. But, oh, was it tough!

A Journey Begins

When I left home at 15 for boarding school in Upstate New York, I was brimming with excitement! Although I was accustomed to the hustle and bustle of a large city, moving to rural New York was surprisingly seamless. I made friends easily, adapted quickly to the new educational system, and never felt homesick. It was all such great fun.

But stepping into university was like jumping onto a roller coaster — thrilling yet disorienting. It was here that my quest for mindfulness began.

The Ups and Downs of University

Living in Florence as a freshman was an absolute dream. NYU’s campus — a Renaissance villa perched on a hill just outside the city center, surrounded by olive groves and hidden gardens — felt like something out of an Italian movie. What could possibly go wrong?

But two months into my freshman year, I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, and a year later, with bipolar disorder. While I wasn’t unfamiliar with mental health discussions, navigating it firsthand was a different story. Therapy felt frustrating at first. Recounting my story to different professionals to find the “right” therapist/psychiatrist, I often felt misunderstood. Medication became the default solution, and there was a lot of it.

Finding My Way

So, I had to connect the dots and paint the picture myself. The conclusion I reached — one confirmed by my current therapist, whom I trust deeply — is that I led an incredibly busy life as a child. After a full day of school, I would dive straight into swim training, tutoring, dinner, homework, and then bed. Day in and day out, I hardly had a moment to breathe. But I didn’t know any better — how could I? That was my life for as long as I could remember until I finished boarding school. And I was generally a happy kid!

Once I entered university, though, my schedule changed dramatically. With only four classes a day from Monday to Thursday, no extracurricular activities, and hardly any homework (it literally took me just 30 minutes to complete), I found myself with an abundance of spare time. I lost all sense of purpose and routine. As silly as it sounds, that was it! Boom. My mental health journey began.

My doctors had me heavily medicated for six full years — from 18 to 24 years old — through my first year of university and into my second year of working full-time. Those six years, needless to say, were a blur. There were plenty of ups and downs, an addiction to medication, and at one point, a reliance on alcohol that only fuelled my destructive path.

Breaking Free and Building Resilience

Four years ago, I had some changes to life: a promotion and meeting my current partner, which brought a sudden wave of joy, stability, and a new perspective to my life. With all these positive changes, I suddenly felt the courage to let go of the medications I’d relied on for so long. Slowly, I learned to navigate life with healthier coping mechanisms — experimenting with mindfulness practices, finding balance in routine, and embracing mental wellness as a daily practice.

Fast forward to today: I’m still at the same job I started six years ago, still medication-free and managing the stress of work and life without turning to pills or alcohol. While the challenges of being a professional in a turbulent world are real, I’ve discovered ways to thrive (ngl, there are still days where I’m just trying to survive) — and I want to share those with you.

I want this platform to be a safe space for professionals from all walks of life. Whether you’re navigating the demands of an office job, balancing multiple part-time roles, working in a hands-on trade, or even taking time away from work. This is a place to share mental wellness journeys and support one another by exchanging tips, insights, and encouragement to navigate life’s challenges together.

Let’s Connect! 

What has your journey with mental health been like? I’d love to hear your stories. Share in the comments and let me know if there are any specific topics you’re interested in sharing!