I'm at the brink of a total mental health meltdown. I have many severe mental illnesses, and thanks to this wonderful society we live in /s, it has been nearly impossible for me to get the treatment I need longterm.
Sure, I could check myself into a psych hospital for a week or two, but then what? I'd get out and have no job, be behind on bills, and in a worse position than when I went in. So, I'm opting for a different approach.
I have been exceptionally fortunate in that I have saved up enough money for just over a year of living expenses. I was originally going to use that money as a down payment for a house or a retirement savings plan, but let's be honest here: Gen Z ain't gonna retire or own property lmao. Instead, I'm taking a year off. I'm going to pay all my bills in advance, and take a self-sabbatical.
I shared the news with my parents (who know fully well about my conditions) and I was–unsurprisingly–met with a load of grief. “You can't do that! Nobody in the *real world* can do that!” I think my response was akin to “F*** the real world. The “real world” is why I have so many of my conditions in the first place. I think I've had enough “real world” for a lifetime.”
And look, I'm lucky enough to be able to do this for myself. I am well aware that many others cannot, and unfortunately will not, ever be able to do this for themselves. But just because society has acustomed us to be workhorses our entire lives doesn't mean I have to fall into that trap.
One thing I've learned over the years is that playing by society's rules and being “normal” is a great way to get sucked into a deep depression. Unluckily for me, I'm already there, so I'm buying back a year's time. F society.
I'll see you all in a year.