Healing from emotional pain is rarely as straightforward as we wish it were. Often, when we begin to feel better, there is a natural hope that things will continue to improve steadily, day by day, until we reach a place where pain no longer touches us. Yet, many of us have experienced moments when, just as we think we have moved past a difficult season, unexpected waves of sadness or anxiety return without warning. We may feel discouraged or confused, wondering if the progress we made was real or if we have somehow failed.

If this resonates with you, it is important to understand that healing is not a simple, linear process. It is a journey with ups and downs, sometimes marked by moments of clarity and peace, and other times by setbacks and struggles. Feeling pain again does not mean that your healing has stalled or reversed. Rather, it is a normal and necessary part of growth.

The idea that healing should be “step by step” is wrong

The expectation that healing should be steady and predictable is a common misconception. Many people imagine recovery as climbing a staircase; each step upward representing a small victory, steadily bringing us away from pain. When we encounter a bad day, it can feel as though we have fallen back to the bottom of the stairs. This perception often leads to frustration and self-criticism, making it harder to be patient with ourselves.

In truth, healing more closely resembles a winding road than a straight path. There are times when we move forward and times when we feel stuck or even take a step backward. This does not indicate failure; it simply means we are navigating the complexities of emotional growth. Sometimes, we must revisit difficult feelings multiple times before they soften and integrate into our story.

Good days and hard days can live in the same journey

It is important to recognize that good days and difficult days coexist on this journey. Experiencing moments of happiness or relief alongside times of sadness or overwhelm is not contradictory. When healing from wounds such as grief, trauma, or burnout, emotional responses can resurface unexpectedly. These feelings are natural signals from our mind and body, reminding us that there are parts of ourselves still processing what we have experienced.

Feeling down again doesn’t mean you’ve gone backwards

One of the most challenging aspects of this process is overcoming the belief that feeling upset again means we have undone our progress. It can be helpful to think of healing like recovering from a physical injury. A sprained ankle may feel better over time, but occasional twists or soreness can still happen. The pain that returns does not erase the healing that has taken place; rather, it shows the area is still sensitive and requires care.

Similarly, emotional healing is ongoing. Memories may still cause pain, and difficult emotions may arise from time to time. However, with each encounter, we become stronger, more aware, and better equipped to manage our feelings. These moments of vulnerability are not signs of weakness but evidence of resilience.

When difficult days arrive, it is crucial to treat yourself with kindness and patience. Instead of judging yourself for feeling low or struggling, allow yourself to rest and acknowledge your emotions. Sometimes, simply naming what you are feeling can lessen its intensity. Reaching out to someone you trust or writing down your thoughts can also provide relief and clarity.

Supporting yourself on hard days involves more than just emotional self-care; it means setting boundaries and making choices that protect your well-being. Saying no to demands that drain your energy and yes to small acts that bring comfort like a walk, a quiet moment, or listening to music can create space for healing.

It is also essential to remind yourself that you are not alone. Many people carry hidden struggles, and it is common to feel as though others are managing better than we are. However, appearances can be deceiving. Everyone faces their own challenges, even if they do not openly share them.

Ultimately, healing is about persistence and compassion toward yourself. It may not be a smooth or fast process, but each step forward, no matter how small or slow, is meaningful. Even when some days hurt, your continued presence and commitment to your well-being are proof of your strength.

If today is a difficult day, allow yourself to feel without judgment or pressure to "fix" things immediately. Healing is a gradual unfolding. Some days will bring relief, and some days will bring pain, but all are part of the journey. By holding space for both, you honor your experience and give yourself permission to heal at your own pace.

You are not broken. You are growing. And every step you take, even the ones that feel like setbacks, brings you closer to wholeness.

Healing isn’t a straight path. Learn why some days still hurt and how to be patient with yourself on the journey toward emotional recovery.

 Healing Isn’t Linear: Why Some Days Still Hurt

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and it is a time when we don’t just talk about mental health in theory, but also take a moment to sit with real stories, real struggles, and real silence.

This month, we invited people to anonymously share their mental health journeys. What they sent us was not just powerful, but also it was heartbreaking. Not because they are weak, but because they’ve had to carry so much alone.

And it is even worse that none of these individuals had tried therapy.

Whether due to stigma, fear, cost, or the idea that they should “just push through,” they’ve been managing their conditions with no guide.

“My mental health has been so unstable. I really feel like I'm losing my mind to depression. I honestly don’t know what’s wrong with me. I feel like I’m losing my mind to this thing, depression or whatever it is.

I can’t remember the last time I was genuinely happy. People laugh, they hang out, they smile… I just sit there, watching, trying to keep up.

These days, I’m not even trying to cope. I just wake up, go through the day, and sleep again. No motivation, no excitement....nothing.

I’m just existing. That’s the word. And it’s scary, because I don’t even know where to begin from. I’ve not tried therapy or anything. I’m just… here.”

This is not laziness or attention-seeking. This is survival. Thank you for sharing that. It sounds like you’re in a really dark and exhausting place right now, and we want you to know that what you're feeling is valid. When it feels like you’re just existing, even the smallest steps can feel overwhelming. But starting doesn’t have to be big. Just acknowledging that something isn’t right, like you just did, is already a brave first step. You don’t have to go through this alone. There’s help, and there’s hope, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now.

“I drink now, and it helps me escape.”

“Losing my brother broke me. It’s been over a year, but it still feels like yesterday. I don’t even know how to explain the pain. I’ve tried everything,  Googled “how to heal,” tried breathing exercises, watched YouTube videos, even joined an online grief group. It works for a while, but then the sadness comes back like a wave.

Sometimes, it just gets too much, so I drink. Not all the time, but when it hits hard. And honestly? It helps me escape. I know it’s not the right way, but it’s the only thing that makes me forget even if it’s just for a few hours.”

Grief takes time. But in isolation, it takes over. We are really sorry you're carrying this kind of pain. It’s heavy, and it makes sense that you're trying to find ways to cope, even if they’re not perfect. Grief isn’t something we just “get over.” It’s something we learn to carry. And sometimes, that wave feels too big to manage alone. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need a safe space to start untangling the hurt, and our therapists are here for that.

large_therapy session

medium_therapy session

small_therapy session

thumbnail_therapy session

therapy session

“But these days, I don’t even recognize the person in the mirror. My friends don’t say it directly, but the things they say sometimes? It gets to me. The jokes, the comparisons, the subtle shade. Now I feel ugly, like I’m not enough. I don’t post pictures anymore. I avoid hanging out sometimes 'cause I don’t want to feel like the odd one out. It’s crazy how quickly confidence can fade when the people around you don’t make you feel seen.”

It sounds like you’re carrying a lot of pain, When the people we trust make us feel unseen or small, it can deeply affect our sense of self. But you should know your worth isn’t defined by comparisons or others’ comments. You are enough.

“I have degrees, I have a job... but I still feel lost.”

“I’m supposed to be doing okay. I mean, I’ve got two degrees, a decent job, and people think I’m doing well. But inside? I feel nothing.

Like, I should be happy, but I’m not. I keep asking myself, “Is this all there is?” I hit milestones and don’t even feel like celebrating.

Everyone keeps saying, “You’re doing great,” but I just smile and nod. No one really knows that sometimes I sit alone and wonder if I’ll ever feel fulfilled. I’ve never tried therapy, maybe I should. But even that feels like one more thing I don’t have energy for.”

Sometimes, achievements don’t always bring the fulfillment we expect, especially when we’re disconnected from ourselves. External achievements can’t fix internal battles. It’s okay to question, to feel numb, and even to feel tired at the thought of trying something new like therapy. But just saying this out loud is a powerful start. Take your time, but don't delay for too long. 

People are struggling deeply even the ones who seem okay.

Most have not sought therapy, often due to stigma, cost, or the belief that they should just “figure it out.”

Coping mechanisms vary; some unhealthy, others simply nonexistent.

This month, let’s do more than be aware. Let’s:

Talk openly about therapy as a valid, helpful option.

Normalize the struggle without glorifying it.

Invest in mental wellness. Spending your time, money, or energy toward your peace is not selfish.

Celebrate progress, not just healing because every small step counts.

If you relate to any of these stories, know that help is available.

Professional therapy can change everything.

You are not weak for needing help. You are not alone in what you feel.

We're still collecting anonymous stories from people like you.

Stories will be shared to raise awareness and remind others: you are not alone.

It’s anonymous, and you can say as little or as much as you want.

Together, let’s keep the conversation going, not just for a month, but for good.

Real people share anonymous stories of grief, depression, body image, and emptiness to raise awareness and encourage support this Mental Health Month.

Mental Health Stories: Depression, Anxiety, and Healing Journeys

Grace flipped through the pages of her journal, skimming past unactualised goals. Each page seemed to mock her, each goal a reminder of things left undone. Not a single one had been accomplished. 

What went wrong? She didn’t need to ask anyone for the answer. The truth had been with her all along, like a shadow she couldn’t shake.

It all started when she began to lose herself. The vibrant, ambitious woman who used to fill every room with laughter had slowly disappeared. First, it was the small things - the nagging feeling that she didn’t know who she was anymore. 

There was a gradual shift in how she saw herself. The things that once brought her joy no longer had the same pull. She tried to mask it, tell herself it was just a phase but deep down, she knew she was struggling with a quiet identity crisis.

Then came the career transition. Grace had been at the peak of her professional life, confident, driven, with a future that seemed so clear. But the shift in her sense of self began to affect her work. The excitement faded. She found herself making decisions that didn’t align with her values, pushing herself into roles that felt more like survival than ambition. 

What once felt like purpose now felt like a trap. Her job became less of a calling and more of a weight, something she had to drag herself to every day. The feeling of being stuck, of losing direction, weighed on her more than she could admit.

And yet, she kept it all in. The silent pressure of trying to be everything to everyone - strong, composed, capable. But in doing so, she forgot to care for the one person who mattered the most: herself.

Then came the hardest blow of all: the sudden death of her fiancé. He had been her rock, her confidant, the one she thought she could always count on. His suicide shattered her world. 

It felt as if the ground had vanished beneath her, sending her into a deep abyss of grief. The haunting question kept her awake at night: What if he had reached out for help? What if he had asked for support before it was too late? 

As her gaze fell on his portrait, the sting of loss hit her all over again. Tears flowed, relentless and heavy. She felt the weight of her emotions crashing down like a wave, and for the first time in ages, she let herself cry. The tears felt like a release, as if they had been waiting for permission to escape. 

Was she heading down the same path? There were moments, just days ago, when the darkness seemed so inviting. The quiet promise of peace, the kind of escape that felt like it would silence everything. But as she sat there, staring at her goals, something shifted.

A new year was only six days away. A chance for a fresh start. She didn’t want to let this one slip away, too. 

She realized she needed to approach it differently; to ask for help. She could no longer pretend that everything was fine. Her career wasn’t the only thing in crisis; it was her heart, her soul, her entire sense of self. She needed guidance, clarity, and healing. It was time to put herself first. 

Her phone buzzed. It was a message from the one person who always saw through her façade. “Are you up for a drink tonight?”

Grace hesitated before replying. She could have said yes, could have gone back to pretending everything was normal. But she didn’t want to do that anymore. 

She typed back: “No, but I’m up for that therapy you’ve been suggesting. I need help. I need all the healing I can get to face the new year.”

She set the phone aside and picked up her pen. The new wish she wrote was simple, yet it felt profound:

Tranqbay: Your Go-To Online and Physical Therapy for Personalised Care

As the year came to an end, Grace recognized something that many overlooks: You can’t keep repeating the same actions and expect different outcomes. 

Entering the new year with the same unresolved issues, the same pain, and the same old coping mechanisms won’t lead to the change you seek. In fact, it will likely keep you trapped in a cycle of frustration and suffering. 

Your experience may differ from Grace’s, but the core message remains. Whether you’re facing an identity crisis, experiencing career burnout, or coping with grief, you have the right to release the emotional burden you’re carrying. 

Tranqbay is committed to promoting mental health and emotional wellness, recognizes that healing is a personal journey. We provide a safe environment to find the support you need to move ahead. 

Before the year runs out, make a promise to yourself to shed the baggage that holds you back. Seek the help you deserve. Begin the new year on a different note.

Struggling with unfulfilled goals, burnout, or grief? Learn to embrace healing, seek support, and take steps toward a fresh start.

healing

News, Insights and Updates On healing

Stay Updated