reinventing mental health
I run into a lot of people who think that mental health would mean: never having an unwanted emotion. It seems younger folks in the US especially think this. They're often wondering about how to "deal" with unwanted emotions, by which they mean get rid of them ASAP.
But everybody has unwanted emotions.
Mental health means: reduce how much you obsess over having unwanted emotions, learn how to accept your unwanted emotions.
It is also possible to reduce the frequency of unwanted emotions, over time. But you'll never get rid of them. And it can be helpful to learn how to face your unwanted emotions instead of avoiding them. A life ruled by your desire to avoid unwanted emotions can become quite sterile.
But everybody has unwanted emotions.
Mental health means: reduce how much you obsess over having unwanted emotions, learn how to accept your unwanted emotions.
It is also possible to reduce the frequency of unwanted emotions, over time. But you'll never get rid of them. And it can be helpful to learn how to face your unwanted emotions instead of avoiding them. A life ruled by your desire to avoid unwanted emotions can become quite sterile.