Three months after my last relationship ended, I’m still trying to get back into dating. Watching friends move on with confidence is inspiring, but I’m still healing and unsure when I’ll be ready to take that leap myself.

For years, I wore a mask—one that showed a smiling face, confident demeanor, and the illusion of having it all together. But behind that mask, there was a different story: a story of silent battles, hidden fears, and a constant internal struggle. Mental health isn’t something you can always see, and for a long time,