What I Wish I Could Tell My Younger Self About Mental Health

Dear younger me.

I know you’re trying your best.

You’re working so hard to be everything for everyone. You’re keeping your grades up, making sure you’re “easy to be around,” ignoring your own exhaustion because you don’t want to let anyone down.

But I see you. I see the late nights where your mind won’t switch off. I see the way you carry other people’s problems like they’re your own. I see how you push through things that are hurting you because you don’t think your struggles are serious enough to matter.

If I could sit down with you now – if I could put my hands on yours and look you in the eye, I would tell you this:

You don’t have to be perfect to be worthy.

Your feelings are real, even if no one else sees them.

You deserve support – no matter how small you think your struggles are.

Here’s what I wish you knew back then.

You’re Not Just “Overthinking” – Your Feelings Are Valid

I know what you tell yourself.

“It’s not that bad.”
“Other people have it worse.”
“I’m just overreacting.”

You’ve convinced yourself that your stress, your anxiety, your sadness: they’re all things you should just get over. You think that if you admit you’re struggling, it makes you weak.

But listen to me: You are not overreacting.

Fact: Studies show that women are twice as likely as men to experience anxiety disorders, yet many downplay their struggles because they feel they have to “keep it together”.

You don’t have to wait until you’re falling apart before you let yourself rest.

What I wish I told you: Your struggles don’t have to be big to be real. You don’t need permission to feel what you feel.

You Can’t Please Everyone (And You Don’t Have To Try)

I see how much you want to be liked. I see how hard you try to be the easy-going, reliable, always-there-for-everyone girl.

You say “yes” when you want to say “no.”
You put other people’s needs ahead of your own.
You take on everyone else’s emotions like they’re your responsibility.

But here’s what no one told you: It’s okay if not everyone likes you.

Fact: Research shows that women, especially young women, experience higher levels of people-pleasing behaviour due to societal expectations – which can lead to burnout and anxiety.

 What I wish I told you: The people who really love you won’t leave when you set boundaries. Saying “no” doesn’t make you difficult – it makes you human.

Being Busy All the Time Isn’t an Achievement

You think that if you stop, you’ll fall behind. That if you work harder, achieve more, never take a break, you’ll finally feel like you’re good enough.

But all this hustling, pushing, proving? It’s slowly draining you.

Fact: Studies show that chronic stress increases the risk of anxiety, depression, and even physical health problems, yet young women are still expected to juggle everything without complaint.

What I wish I told you: Rest is productive. You don’t have to earn your right to take care of yourself.

Not Every Thought You Have Is True

I know how loud your thoughts can be. The ones that whisper:

• “You’re not good enough.”
• “You’re not smart enough.”
•  “You don’t belong here.”

You believe them because they sound real. But here’s the truth: Your thoughts are not facts.

 Fact: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy  has been scientifically proven to help reframe negative thoughts, reducing anxiety and self-doubt.

 What I wish I told you: Just because your brain tells you something doesn’t make it true. Challenge the lies. You are enough.

You Don’t Have to Wait Until You’re “Struggling Enough” to Ask for Help

I know you tell yourself, “I’m fine.”

You think therapy is for people who are really struggling. You think asking for help means you’ve failed. You think you should be able to handle things on your own.

But the strongest thing you can do? Let someone in.

 Fact: Early intervention in mental health reduces long-term struggles and improves overall well-being – you don’t have to wait until things are unbearable to seek support .

What I wish I told you: You don’t have to be at rock bottom to deserve support. Therapy, mental health tools, and self-care are for everyone – including you.

How eQuoo is Helping Young Women Build Resilience

If I had access to mental health tools when I was younger, I would have learned how to:

• Process emotions in a healthy way.
• Challenge negative thoughts instead of believing them.
• Develop relationship skills and set boundaries.

That’s exactly what eQuoo does. It’s a next level mental health app that teaches emotional resilience through interactive storytelling and CBT-based techniques.

Why it’s helpful? eQuoo makes learning mental health skills fun, engaging, and stigma-free – perfect for young women navigating mental health challenges.

You Deserve to Take Up Space

If I could go back and tell you one thing, it would be this:

• You don’t have to prove your worth by how much you can endure
• You deserve rest, care, and love – just as much as anyone else.
• Your mental health matters. You are not alone.

And to every young woman reading this: I see you. I hear you. You are stronger than you think, and you are worthy of support.

To find out more about eQuoo, get in touch using the form below to earn more about how we can support you.