‘No pain, no gain’

"No pain, no gain" is a statement that I have heard more times than I count whether it comes to academic work or to hustling to gain money. But when it comes to mental health, is it really true?

Perhaps the statement invalidates the complexities of life. While hard work and effort are necessary for success, it may be misleading to claim that growth and healing always come from struggle. Sometimes healing feels like hard work and sometimes it's in the little things, like rest and spending time with friends.

For those still struggling, does it mean they haven't experienced enough pain to see progress? Their stories challenge this claim and remind us that suffering should not be romanticised or seen as a determinant of success.

Your mental health journey does not have to be a constant struggle or a rollercoaster of emotions to be valid. Growth can be gentle and healing can happen in the littlest of moments.

Oma from MANI