You were making real progress. Doing the work. Building new habits. And then, out of nowhere, the anxiety came back. The depression crept in. And the voice in your head started asking: Did any of that even work? Am I back to square one?

You're not. And this episode explains exactly why.

Jonathan shares a personal story about hitting a wall about a year into some of the best mental health progress he'd ever made, and how someone had actually warned him that a regression point was looming on the horizon.

Dr. Mark Mayfield breaks down what's really happening in your brain when regression hits, why feeling stuck after therapy doesn't mean you've failed, and why this moment might actually be one of the most important in your entire healing journey.

If you've ever felt like your mental health progress disappeared, or wondered why anxiety and depression come back after you've already done the work, this episode is for you.

In This Episode

• What mental health regression actually is and why it's not the enemy
• The neuroscience behind why your brain revisits old emotional states
• Why feeling worse after a period of progress doesn't mean you're going backwards
• The difference between seeking certainty vs. seeking clarity and why it matters
• What to do when you feel like you've lost all your mental health progress

Key Takeaways

Regression is not failure. When you feel like you're sliding backwards, your brain is actually creating an opportunity to go back and reprocess old emotional patterns with new tools. That's called reconsolidation — and it's how real, lasting healing works.

Awareness is evidence of growth. If you can recognize that something feels off, that's not a sign you're back at square one. That's proof the work you've done is paying off. The old you wouldn't have noticed.

Clarity over certainty. When you feel stuck, don't chase certainty — you won't find it. Instead, ask: What is one next step I can take to gain just a little more clarity? That's how you keep moving forward without overwhelming yourself.

Name it out loud. There is something powerful about simply saying: "I'm not doing as well as I'd like to be." Externalizing it gives you something to work with instead of something to fight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I feel like I'm going backwards in my mental health journey?

Feeling like you're regressing is incredibly common — and it doesn't mean your progress wasn't real. It often means your brain is revisiting an earlier emotional state with new perspective, which is actually part of deeper healing.

Is it normal for anxiety and depression to come back after therapy?

Yes. Mental health progress is not linear. Most people experience periods of regression — especially around anniversaries, seasonal changes, or major life transitions. The key is recognizing it early and knowing what to do next.

Closing Thought

You're not back at square one. You're being invited to go deeper than you've gone before.

Name it. Don't fight it. Take one next step.

Resources

Find more episodes, tools, and resources at mentalhealthmadesimple.life

Disclaimer

Mental Health Made Simple is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional counseling, diagnosis, or treatment. Listening to this podcast does not create a counselor-client relationship. If you are struggling with your mental health, consider speaking with a licensed mental health professional. If you are in immediate danger, contact your local emergency number.

Valentine's Day creates shame, debt, and comparison—then makes you question your worth. This episode breaks down why a holiday about love makes people feel worse, and gives you practical ways to navigate February 14th without losing it.

Why does a holiday supposedly about love make so many people feel worse about themselves?

Why does it create shame, debt, comparison, and performance anxiety—even in healthy relationships?

Why does it make the most grounded, self-aware person suddenly feel fragile, reactive, and covered in "shoulds"?

In this episode, Jonathan Collier and Dr. Mark Mayfield unpack the commercialized pressure cooker that is Valentine's Day.

They explore why it triggers loneliness even when you're fine being single the rest of the year, why it becomes an excuse for poor relationship habits, and how to navigate February 14th without letting it wreck you.

This one's for anyone who's ever felt the weight of this holiday—whether you're single, in a relationship, grieving, or just tired of the performance.

In This Episode:

Why Valentine's Day makes even grounded people feel unaware, fragile, and stressed

The "remote control test" and how this holiday creates temporary distrust

How Valentine's Day becomes a pressure cooker for comparison and self-worth

Infatuation vs. decisional love—and why this holiday is the former

Why some people use Valentine's Day to buy their way out of poor relationship habits

The loneliness layer: grief, singleness, and cultural messaging about your worth

Managing expectations (yours and theirs) through actual communication

What to do when Valentine's Day causes deeper issues to surface

Permission to skip it, reframe it, or make it your own

Resources Mentioned:

Capacity Audit Tool at mentalhealthmadesimple.life

Important Note:

This podcast is educational content and is not a replacement for professional counseling, therapy, or medical care. If you're experiencing a mental health crisis or have immediate safety concerns, please reach out to a licensed professional or crisis service.

Subscribe & Review:

If this episode hit home, leave a rating and review—it helps more people find the show. New episodes drop every week. Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you listen.

Let's talk about this episode: https://linktr.ee/humblehustleofficial

"Don't talk about it unless you have a solution." That advice? It's garbage. And it's why people suffer in silence. This episode breaks down why waiting for perfect answers keeps you stuck—and what actually helps when you're struggling.

Someone told a struggling friend: "I wouldn't talk about that until you have a solution."

Let that sink in for a second.

You're already drowning. Already stuck. Already scared. And someone just told you to figure it all out alone before you're allowed to ask for help.

In this episode, Jonathan Collier and Dr. Mark Mayfield unpack the toxic advice that keeps people isolated when they need support most. Sparked by a vulnerability post from content creator "Nobody Cares Anthony," this conversation explores why the "don't share without a solution" mindset is dangerous—and what actually helps when you're navigating depression, anxiety, or any mental health challenge. And why more people should do what Cheam Creams guy did and just talk. Don't wait until you have a plan in place before you talk..... that's B.S.

This one's for anyone who's ever felt like they needed to have it all figured out before they could be honest about what they're going through.