Life Happens, Plans Change: How I Found My Way into Mental Health
Hi, I’m Juliette.
Like many of you, I thought I had my life figured out from a young age. I was going to be a writer — children’s books, novels, research articles, even songs. (Yes, the name of this practice was inspired by Taylor Swift, one of the best songwriters of our era.)
But as it often happens, life took me in another direction. I pivoted from pre-physical therapy, to psychology, and finally realized that nursing was where I wanted to be. I graduated early from my first undergraduate degree, went to nursing school, and then graduate school to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner. It wasn’t always a smooth journey — beautiful at times, messy at others — but I truly love what I do. Walking alongside people during some of their darkest moments has been one of the greatest honors of my life.
Of course, reaching my career goal didn’t mean life stopped throwing curveballs. I’m human, and I still face my own ups and downs. Having struggled with depression and anxiety myself, I know how important it is to talk openly about these experiences.
That’s why I started this blog:
To share the things I wish someone had told me.
To answer common questions and misconceptions I see in practice.
To remind myself (and you) to make space for joy, because I’m guilty of telling others to take care of themselves while putting it last on my own list.
If you stick around, expect a mix of education, advocacy, and honest reflections — with maybe a little humor sprinkled in. My hope is that this space increases understanding, reduces shame, and helps you feel less alone.
And if there’s a topic you’d like me to write about, let me know. I’d love for this to be a conversation, not a monologue.