Why Your Identity Crisis Is Really Just a Glow-Up: Let’s Reclaim Breakdowns

graphic by thanh thai

We’re huge advocates for mental breakdowns. In fact, we’d like to reclaim them, and yes, you definitely read that correctly. What if instead of avoiding breakdowns at all costs, we looked at them as a positive step in the direction of our development? If you’ve ever found yourself questioning your existence in a mess of tears and snot naked on the toilet at 2 a.m., you may think you’ve hit rock bottom, but here’s some good news about rock bottom—you can only go uphill from there, baby girl. 

The phrase, “identity crisis,” in and of itself is precisely just code for, “you’re not the person you used to be,” or, “you’re not the person you thought you were.” Guess what? That’s totally normal. In fact, it’s encouraged. Who wants to be the same person for their whole life anyway? Can you imagine being the same person now than you were when you were 14? While there is something to be said about all you can learn and gain from absolutely going through it, every breakdown happens for a reason, and you’ll ultimately end up as a more emotionally aware, stronger, and badass person. Though not all change comes with a life-altering revelation during which you’re suddenly chopping off the ponytail that was once your signature look, we encourage you to rethink your mental breakdowns. Instead of seeing them as a roadblock or a setback, see them as a positive, integral part of your development. 

Consider your crisis as some sort of second puberty—hey, maybe a third or fourth (except less angsty)—that will serve as a sort of mental glow-up that goes hand-in-hand with reconsidering everything you thought you knew. Though you may feel a temporary loss of control (ooh, our favorite), the moment you regain it, you’ll be so much happier with the person you’ve become. 

In the grand scheme of things, you’ll reflect upon every meltdown with gratitude as it was a physical push towards adulthood. It’s so easy to fall in love with being miserable as opposed to taking your breakdown by the balls and giving it a big, “I’m f*cking bigger than this,” but once you do, you’ll feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. 

So go ahead and don’t hold back. Breaking down is honestly liberating. With every major mental breakdown comes a positive change in perspective and brings you one step closer to where you’re supposed to be, so if you’re going through it, it’s totally worth it.