I think a major turning point in my mental health was realizing I didn't have to carry the whole world on my shoulders. Growing up I mistook a lot of negative self-talk for being "humble" and felt like if I wasn't using my time "productively" then I was wasting a day. For example when I thought I wanted to be a novelist, I would feel terrible if I didn't write at a certain pace and feel guilty if I didn't meet my goals. It was like I owed it to everyone else to accomplish something great. In the same way I also pressured myself to choose a career that "made a difference" in the world even if it caused me excessive stress. My life became a series of checked boxes instead of something enjoyable.

It took until age 30 to realize that the world is a better place if I'm happier and healthier in it, regardless of whether I "make a difference." It really doesn't matter if I want to spend a whole evening fucking around going shopping or learning a new beauty technique, as long as I enjoyed it. My life is what I make of it and I don't owe my time to anyone else.

The world and its problems really don't give a shit about me, and realizing that is in its own way very liberating.