I wish I had stayed a child; at least, I had peace of mind. But do I? Innocent, yet perhaps a culprit of ignorance. That growing was the solution. Naive, little did I know.

Since I know what pain feels like, I never thought of it as a problem because playing with friends, a bowl of my favorite food, could light me up again. There was an equilibrium between pain and joy. But sometimes pain always wants to dominate, and most times it wins. My only escape was to grow up, or so I thought.

Then I began to grow older and realized it was present and growing alongside me. I looked, and there she was, the little me looking back at me every time with tears in her eyes. She reminds me of her name with a cranky, frank little voice. I see myself in her, and I remember all the promises I made to her. I groan with concern that I fail her not and make her feel frail. I still feel the haunting and hurt. Maybe growing up is a trick because it only gets harder.

I thought I'd be an adult, and that would change, but well, it's another level of tge trail. Oh beautiful little one, you are young and brave, you will be fine, was what I always heard. How can I find my sanity in a world that wars against my being and drains the rain off my head while I play in it? Where is the joy of my childhood? When adulthood is another phase that drains and strains those happy, fleeting memories.

Mental health is not a one-day occurrence; it's something that most times  stemmed since childhood, from environmental factors, biological factors, family dynamics, trauma, and other childhood experiences, which can manifest into issues like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc. Every child needs to grow well, not just physically but mentally. Children's mental health is vital for their future as adults. An open conversation, a loving environment, care, and support could be what one child needs now.

Hello, little self, I still remember those genuine smiles and joy rooted deep down within your heart. Your dreams will come true, and your promises too. Be resilient and keep being brave.