About four weeks ago, I had my first counseling appointment. I was nervous and terrified at having to talk to someone I didn't know about personal issues. Would I cry? Would I freak out? Would I like this person? It turns out that I didn't cry and didn't have a panic attack and I liked the person I talked to. I felt good.

I have tried to avoid counseling for a long time, I know there are subjects that I will have to eventually deal with, with a proper therapist, but I didn't need to deal with it now. However, there were smaller yet significant issues making a impact on me that needed to be dealt with. I talked to a friend who had gone before, about my concerns and nerves. She promised me that it would help to clear my mind and venting everything out would be great. The counselors were there to listen and help. She said "Don't worry".

Walking in and sitting down for my first session, I realized how strong I am. I also realized that counseling is amazing. I felt relieved to have someone hear my issues and help me through them. The stress that had built up in me was slowly breaking down in a healthy way and that felt awesome. Going my third time, as I walked out, I felt so mentally healthy. I felt confident and happy.

I'm not shy to talk about counseling with my friends. If I'm in the middle of a conversation and realize I have to go to a session, I say, "Hey, I actually have counseling in a few, so lets finish this when I come back." Of course at first people are shocked and then worried, asking if I'm ok and the answer is always yeah I'm doing ok, I just needed some help from counseling about some things. I want counseling to be normalized. You don't need to be breaking down, just to go to a session. Any stress of any kind, any issue of any kind that is affecting you negatively is something worth talking about.

I am the type of person, who moms everyone and always makes sure that my friends are doing ok. However, you need to make time for yourself. You have to take care of yourself, physically and mentally. You cannot succeed at life if you're on edge all the time. Going to counseling helps, I promise. If you happen to not like your counselor then ask for a different one, it's ok. These people's jobs are to help you, so let them try.

You matter too and when you're alone on a cold day, or awake at 2am in the morning, you are the only person there for you. You're your best friend and partner through those hard days. It doesn't matter if you have a boyfriend or girlfriend or the greatest friends in the world. When you're in bed, it is your mind and you. And only you can make the negative talks with it go away.

Go to counseling. Try it.