Mental Health: It’s a Spectrum, Not a Checklist

With World Mental Health Day coming up on the 10th of October, there’s no better time to have a heart-to-heart about what mental health really means.

Spoiler alert: it’s not about being happy all the time or having it all together. In fact, mental health isn’t something you either “have” or “don’t have.” It’s more like a spectrum—a sliding scale that we’re all on, moving up and down depending on life’s twists and turns.

Mental Health: The Scale We All Ride

Let’s be real—some days, you wake up feeling like a superhero. You’re on top of the world, nothing can faze you, and you’re ready to conquer whatever comes your way. That’s what I call thriving, and it’s an awesome place to be. But then there are days when just getting out of bed feels like a victory, and life feels more like surviving than thriving. And you know what? That’s okay too.

The beauty of seeing mental health as a scale is that it permits us to be wherever we are, without guilt or judgment. Some days we’re thriving, others we’re just hanging in there, and sometimes we’re somewhere in between—coping or struggling, but still moving forward.

Embracing the Ups and Downs with a Big Ol’ Hug of Compassion

The key to managing your mental health scale? Acceptance and compassion, my friend. It’s about recognising where you are on any given day and giving yourself the grace to just be there. No pressure to be perfect, and no need to slap on a smile if you’re not feeling it.

When you accept where you are, you can start treating yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a friend.

Feeling low? Maybe it’s time for some self-care, whether that’s a nap, a walk, or just a break from the grind.

On a high? Enjoy it, soak it in, and let it fuel you. Compassion is the winning hand that helps you move along the scale without beating yourself up.

My Aha! Moment: Learning to Ride the Scale

For a long time, I didn’t get this. I thought if I wasn’t always “on,” something was wrong with me. I pushed through stress, ignored my needs, and ended up burned out and exhausted.

Sound familiar? It wasn’t until I started seeing mental health as a scale that things really shifted for me.

Once I started checking in with myself and figuring out where I was on the scale each day, I learned how to manage my energy and emotions better. Instead of pushing through, I began resting when I needed it, regulating my stress, and rebuilding my strength. This approach didn’t just help me survive—it helped me thrive, and now I share these tools through my Rest, Regulate, and Rebuild method.

Let’s Get Real This World Mental Health Day

So, with World Mental Health Day on the horizon on the 10th of this month, I invite you to take a moment and ask yourself:

Where are you on your mental health scale today?

Are you thriving, coping, surviving, or maybe even struggling?

More importantly, how can you show yourself compassion and support, no matter where you land on that scale?

Mental health isn’t about ticking off a box or reaching some elusive state of “perfect.” It’s about understanding where you are, accepting it with kindness, and taking small, loving actions to move in the direction that feels right for you. So let’s drop the judgment and embrace the journey—bumps, turns, and all.

Here’s to riding the scale with compassion, and to finding our own version of thriving, one day at a time.

"When we start to see mental health as a spectrum, everything changes, that’s when the real magic happens. " Nat - Your Burnout Bestie

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About Nat:

Nat, also known as "Nat Your Burnout Bestie," is a dedicated Burnout Prevention and Recovery Specialist. She empowers individuals to navigate the complexities of modern life with balance and resilience. Using her unique blend of neuroscience techniques, philosophy, and practical life skills. Nat helps her clients to Rest, Regulate, and Rebuild.

Nat's journey from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, including experiencing burnout that left her in bed for 18 months, has equipped her with first-hand insights into the demands of work and life. This experience makes her a relatable and empathetic guide.

For more resources and support with burnout, please visit our website to explore our range of practices designed to help you thrive.

www.littlesoulshack.com