I used to think rock bottom was a place you only visited once, like a terrible tourist trap. Turns out, it's more like a revolving door with a really unreliable lock. Rock bottom used to feel like a test I could study for, pass, and be DONE with. Now I know it’s more like a chronic condition – always lurking, requiring constant vigilance, but mostly manageable with the right meds and lifestyle. I always pictured hitting 'the bottom' as this dramatic THUD, like falling off a cliff. But it was more like a slow leak, a gradual sinking feeling as the water quietly filled the boat, and I didn't even realize how far down I was until the waves were crashing over my head. The worst part is remembering I own a bucket. I used to imagine "healing" as arriving at a destination, unpacking my bags, and finally resting. Now I see it's more like learning to sail – constantly adjusting the sails, navigating the storms, knowing I'll never truly be 'there' but learning to love the journey anyway, even when I'm seasick.