“The purpose of the human experience on earth is to move through obstacles with grace, and if you can do that, there will always be a sunset.” These are the words I once heard from an anonymous voice in my head. ⁣ ⁣ It was the last day on my first job as a new mother. I was still in the throes of postpartum depression, and I was in a car, alone, heading straight into the exquisite sunset we’d anxiously awaited all day. It was an existential moment, and since no one could hear me, I asked the question aloud: What is the purpose of ALL OF THIS?! Those words are the response I received: to move through obstacles with grace, and that struggle will guide you toward the sunset. We are here FOR the obstacles, not to avoid them. ⁣ ⁣ Battling depression has been the biggest challenge to my identity. I’m energetic, enthusiastic, passionate — and I have this big ole belly laugh! My entire life, I had been so hyper-focused on blocking negative thoughts that I failed to embrace or appreciate that these feelings and emotions and crises were not only not to be avoided, but that they were integral to the human experience. ⁣ ⁣ It’s taken quite a bit, but what I’ve learned since is that my form of “optimism” means having the grace to navigate both internal and external obstacles. Those challenges ARE the journey, the purpose, not an annoyance we can gaslight with militant optimism and denial. ⁣ ⁣ I’m not the optimist I once envisioned myself to be. Instead, I’m an emotionally-charged ball of wonder and awe, practicality and possibility, with an indefatigable capacity to find humor and joy in the absurdity of whatever life serves up. ⁣ ⁣ This is where I’ve landed today on my journey, and tomorrow may be different, but I share these musings on #WorldMentalHealthDay in case they can offer any hope or simply a “same, same!” ❤️⁣ ⁣ 📸: @zoeygrossman for Who What Wear ⁣ ⁣ [ID: With both hands on her head, BDH gives a look of confusion. She wears a navy blue dress with matching heels and stands in a small room with a red curtain]