Why I Started This Journey: The Creation of "Today, I Come First"

How Did It Start?

For a few years now, I have had the deepest urge to create something meaningful. I'm a fairly creative individual with a passion for mental health and wellness. I'm currently studying psychology in college, and I know that working in the field of mental health is ultimately what I am meant to do. Seeing as to how I am not finished my formal education, I was searching for a way that I could still follow my passion, while not offering services that a degree is necessary for. I'm a firm believer in gut feelings, and I just know that Today, I Come First is something that I was meant to create.

Why Structure Doesn't Always Equal Success

I am an avid lover of journaling and deep introspection. However, I recognize that with the stress of daily life and responsibilities, it can sometimes be nearly impossible to dedicate time daily, weekly, or even monthly to sitting down and writing in a journal. I was convinced that a guided journal would solve this issue by giving me some structure. I tried ones that had rigid goals such as writing for five minutes a day, listing things you're grateful for once a week, etc., but I became even more stuck. The added pressure of timelines and set dates in many guided journals create so much more stress in an activity that was meant to be stress-relieving.

Why a Guided Journal With No Rules Is Beneficial

While creating my guided journal, I considered the aspects of guided journals that deterred me from using them. I decided that there were going to be no rules or timelines to follow in my guided journal. I created it in such a way that it can be picked up and put down at any time in your journey. All of the pages have a place for you to write the date, however, you are not bound to a schedule. You can write a page one day, and return to the journal five years later if you'd like!

Supporting Mental Health and Self-Care

My overall goal with this guided journal and whatever else my journey leads me to create is simple. I want to help. I know how difficult it can be to navigate through life with ADHD, anxiety, depression, CPTSD (Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), and just the overall hardships of life in general. My only hope is that Today, I Come First will find its way into the hands of people who can reap the rewards of doing some soul-searching and reflective work in order to benefit their mental health and livelihood.

Ready to start your own mental health journey? Learn more about Today, I Come First, and take the first step to putting yourself first—click here!