Finding Light in the Darkness: My Journey with Mental Health

If I’m honest, I never truly understood mental health growing up. I knew people had good days and bad ones, but I believed we were always in control of our minds. I thought if you felt low, you just needed to snap out of it. I saw others around me struggling, but I dismissed it—I thought they were being dramatic, seeking attention, or simply not strong enough.

I rarely spoke about my emotions, and I hardly ever listened when others tried to speak to me about theirs. But the truth is, it catches up with you eventually. It caught up with me. And the realisation hit hard—our minds are incredibly powerful, but they need care, attention, and compassion.

My own mental health challenges came completely out of the blue. I had just moved to Cyprus and met the love of my life, and then—I broke. Old wounds I’d buried deep began to resurface, and one day I woke up feeling trapped in a very dark place. I couldn’t "snap out of it" no matter how hard I tried.

Anxiety took over. I became impatient, especially at work. I turned to alcohol to cope—my escape—but it only made things worse. I didn’t understand why my mind was doing this to me. With no answers, I tried to numb the pain.

Then life threw even more at me. I lost people I loved deeply—people I admired and cherished. My relationships began to fall apart because of the choices I was making. Eventually, I hit rock bottom. I no longer wanted to be here.

But then, something shifted.

A friend reached out and gently encouraged me to pause—to really stop, look around, and see what was still good in my life. So, I went to the beach, sat alone, and watched the sun set. That moment changed everything. I saw beauty. I saw that my life, though clouded by darkness, was still filled with so much potential. I realised I needed help, and I reached out.

I began seeing a psychiatrist. I opened up to friends and family. I stopped using alcohol to dull the pain. When you remove the things that cloud your mind, your thoughts start to clear—and that’s when healing can begin.

I started to rebuild. I explored the island I call home. Cyprus offered me more than just sunshine—it gave me space to breathe. The walks, the beaches, the charming little villages, the culture and traditions—they helped bring me back to life. And that’s when the idea for GOAT Adventures was born. If this island could help heal me, maybe it could help others too.

During this time, my husband was also fighting his own battles. For a while, we couldn’t support each other properly—we were both struggling to stay afloat. But with time, professional help, and a better understanding of mental health, we found our way back to each other. We started working together instead of drifting apart. We began to heal—together.

Don’t get me wrong, the journey isn't over. Mental health is something we work on every single day. It doesn’t just vanish. But step by step, and side by side, we’re building something meaningful. GOAT Adventures has given us a shared purpose—a dream to pursue—and that has brought so much light into our lives.

I’ve been diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, and depression, but they no longer define or control me. I still have difficult days—but now, I speak up. I ask for help. I take time to reset, and I do the work to move forward. It’s not easy. But the struggles, setbacks, and sadness also help us recognise the joy and beauty that surrounds us every day.

If you’re struggling, please know you are not alone. Reach out. Speak to a friend, a loved one—or even a stranger. Sometimes help comes from the most unexpected places. Read, reflect, take a walk, and look for the little moments of beauty—they are there.

Sending you all my love—today and always