As some of you know, I suffer from anxiety disorder, depression and severe panic attacks. While there isn't an exact time that I can pinpoint when this started, I'm pretty sure that I've had some form of mental illness since I was a small child. Now, I have to make it clear that I grew up in a very safe and happy home. Mental illness can creep up on anyone.

A year ago today, I was being admitted into Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Facility in Lemont, IL. It was the single most difficult thing I've ever done and it was a real test of my perseverance. I instantly bonded with a girl named Jenny (whom I now consider one of my dearest friends). She arrived a day earlier than me and we were both struggling with our lodge's phone policy witch prevented new residents from using the phone for 48 hours. To us, it might as well been a million years.

One of my most vivid memories from treatment was sitting with Jenny in our common room/living area (which we called "the milieu"), both of us in tears because we missed our families. We sat and talked for hours, coloring and playing with this weird putty stuff (which was very calming, I might add). I truly believe that the friendship we formed that night is something niether of us with ever forget.

The reason that i'm typing up this post is to celebrate the year of progress that I've made. I still have days in which it is very difficult, but I can power through it now. I feel happier and healthier than I have in years.

Over the next few weeks, I will be starting college. I'm nervous for whats to come, but I'm also excited to start the next chapter of my life.

Tell me your story in the comments.

xoxo, Sarah