Skip to main content

Guest Blogger: New Ground: Rebuilding After a Low Point with a Move to a New City

The following article was written by a guest blogger, Adam C. Adam contributes material for our blog which gives insightful perspectives on living with schizophrenia... Thank you, Adam for another great read.

Starting over isn’t just possible—it can be transformative, especially after weathering a tough chapter in life. For those living with schizophrenia, the idea of moving to a new city might seem overwhelming, but it also presents a rare opportunity to reset, find healing, and rediscover purpose. If you've reached a point where change feels necessary, relocating might not only shift your geography but help reroute your path forward.

Finding a Home That Feels Safe and Stable

Housing isn’t just about four walls—it’s about creating a sanctuary. Whether you're applying for a rental or working through assisted housing programs, the most important thing is that your new place supports your daily routine and gives you peace of mind.

Using Your Move as a Launchpad for Career Growth

Sometimes a fresh environment can be the spark you need to dream bigger, especially when it comes to your career. If you’ve ever thought about going back to school, online programs are ideal for busy people or those managing mental health. Now might be the right moment to explore your options and reignite long-held passions. For instance, earning a master's degree in nursing can open doors to careers in nurse education, informatics, administration, or advanced practice nursing.


Image via Pexels


Building New Friendships One Connection at a Time

Making new friends can be intimidating—especially after a low point—but don’t let that stop you from trying. Look for peer support groups for individuals with schizophrenia, mental health meetups, or even hobby-based clubs that match your interests. Volunteering, attending community events, or simply talking to neighbors can also open doors naturally.

Landing a Job That Works for You

Returning to the workforce after a setback is a big step, so it's important to be realistic but hopeful. Focus on jobs that align with your strengths, have structured tasks, and offer understanding supervisors or mental health-friendly environments. You might benefit from supported employment programs that help individuals with mental health challenges navigate job applications, interviews, and work-life balance.



Image via Pexels

Staying Grounded Through Mental Health Support

As you take these brave steps, don’t forget the foundation: your mental health. Set up care with a local therapist as soon as you arrive, and make sure you keep your prescriptions and medical records organized and accessible. Many cities also have peer recovery groups where you can be surrounded by others who understand what you're going through.

This move isn’t about running away from your past—it’s about stepping into your future with new eyes. You’ll have setbacks, but you’ll also experience wins. The beauty of starting fresh is that you get to decide what matters now, what no longer serves you, and what kind of life you want to build.

Discover inspiring stories and valuable insights on mental health recovery by visiting Overcoming Schizophrenia and start believing in better days ahead.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Religious Preoccupation

After a talk, a woman asked me if my faith contributed to my recovery because she noticed that I mentioned it throughout my speech. In addition to that, she told me that she observed people with faith as having a better outcome in their mental health recovery. First, I came from a family with Christian values. My faith in God started to get intense during the latter years of high school, which in my opinion, is when I started having symptoms. In my experience religion plays a major role in my mental health- its delusions, its coping skills, and in my recovery. In medical terms they call my religious rituals and delusions "religious preoccupation." Before I was diagnosed I was highly religious. In fact, I wanted to be an evangelist and to go to a Christian college. I would read my Bible for several hours a day throughout the day, listen to hymns, and meditate. Sometimes I would ignore people if they wanted my attention while I was meditating I was in such deep thought. Also, I...

What Is Remission?

Remission is the absence of symptoms for at least six months with the support of medication. In other words, a doctor who has never seen you before may not diagnose you as a person with schizophrenia anymore. Remission is also high functioning in several aspects of life, living independently, goinig to school or to work, and socializing with other people. However, this does not mean the patient is cured or the illness has went away, the illness is still present, however, under control. Remission is achieved with the assistance of medication. "Published studies suggest that 10% to 20% of people with schizophrenia have remission of their illness as they get older, 20% get worse, but in a large majority (60% to 70%), the course of illness remains relatively unchanged." To reach remission it is recommended that you aim for a stress-free environment. Therefore, do things to relieve stress such as journaling, exercising, talking to friends, listening to or creating music, making a...

The Path that God Chose for Me

I am not upset that I have schizophrenia, this is the life God chose for me. The other day I was telling my mother I am glad I took a break from school, but I wish I had taken it sooner so that I could have recognized my illness sooner. She reminded me that everything happens for a reason, and that had I took a break sooner I would not have been able to know my full potential in college and in life. I went to college and got really involved in it through sports, internships, and mentoring peers. I was involved in so many things, school, church, home, friends, family, you name it! She was right, I am glad I took the path I took. I did not always have schizophrenia, but now that I have it I will work hard to overcome it. I try not to use the word schizophrenic because that identifies the person by their illness and that isn't fair. I am Ashley and I have schizophrenia. I will not let it limit my potential or define who I am. I can and will overcome these symptoms with medication, the...