💚 Why Boundaries Became My Lifeline: A World Mental Health Day Reflection

It’s Tuesday, Oct. 7, my favorite day of the week, AND I practice specifically for this day every year — NATIONAL TACO DAY🌮! And honestly? My mental health has been tested lately. I think we’re all going through something. Politically, globally, socially—the world feels heavy. My heart aches for everyone affected.

I’ve even stopped reading headlines because my mental health was suffering. My therapist reminded me: fear and intimidation is what “they” want. And this chingona? I refuse to hand them that. 💅

I’ve even made it my business to speak more Español in public—with a smile—just to keep joy front and center.

🛑 The Hardest Boundary I’ve Ever Set

Inspirational quote image reading “Boundaries didn’t break me. They saved me” over an Arizona desert sunrise, reflecting strength and healing from life coach Cynthia Prato.

I had to draw the hardest line yet, with my family. For my mental health, peace, and well-being.
It was brutal. My family thinks it’s “just me.” That I’m the one who needs to accommodate, because “that’s just how so-and-so is.”

Erm… hard pass. No más.
I won’t shrink myself to make anyone comfortable. Unrespectfully 😉.

🩺 The Weekend That Tested Everything

Cynthia Prato wearing a “Well Sh*t” t-shirt and smiling confidently, symbolizing candid conversations about life, boundaries, and resilience as a life coach in Phoenix, AZ.

On Friday, Oct. 3, I went in for what was supposed to be a routine colonoscopy. By Sunday, I was back to eating, cleaning the house, finally hanging up family photos (almost a year into our “forever” home). It was pure joy.

Then my body flipped into drama queen mode. Blood clots. A lot of blood. At first, I told myself it was normal. After several bathroom visits, I didn’t feel right. I drove myself to the hospital (yes, Paul wanted to take me, but I didn’t want to stress him or Aiden).

I packed my laptop, chargers, thinking, “I’ll be home by Sunday Night Football.” Spoiler: I wasn’t.

I was losing blood, my blood pressure dropping. The doctor said they needed to admit me and wait for GI to take a look. My nurse, Steve, stared at me like I was an alien because I stayed calm.
I told him,

“I’ve been working on this mindset for years. Can I control this? No. So I’m not going to spiral.”

My support group was strong. Paul held it down at home. My bestie was on speed dial and ready to stay with me. We even joked about it (blaming the Cardinals game LOL). Because for me, laughter is medicine.

I didn’t want to tell my parents because I knew my madre would go into full panic mode and broadcast it to my uncle (the doctor in Miami) and everyone else. My phone blew up. But I stayed in my calm bubble.

🌅 Gratitude in the Chaos

Cynthia Prato smiling in a hospital bed during a health scare, showcasing strength, resilience, and calm under pressure in Phoenix, Arizona.

GI patched me up the next day. The internal medicine doc literally said, “You’ll live another day.”

Two minutes later the hospital chaplain walked in, and that’s when I almost lost it. (I waited until I got home to cry - and cry I did for 2 days.)

That night, lying in the hospital bed, I kept thinking about the headline: “Woman goes in for routine colonoscopy and dies two days later…” I really need to stop watching Crime TV 😂.

But today, Taco Tuesday, I’m here. Writing this. Grateful to see my son, my husband, my furry beasts (even the one who crop-dusted me all night).

Astro, the family dog, described as “spoiled x infinity,” facing cancer with love and care, reminding readers to cherish their support systems, furry ones included.

And yes, that same furry beast was also recently diagnosed with cancer. We found out in the middle of all this chaos. There’s not much we can do now except love him fiercely and spoil him rotten, and that’s exactly what we’re doing. He deserves the best doggy life, and we’re going to make sure he knows just how loved he is.

Grateful for the VA emergency staff, all my doctors (I think I saw six), the GI team, and my nurses Steve, Mike, and Olivia.

And I already put in a call to my therapist this week. This was traumatic, and I’m not going to white-knuckle it. Healing takes talking.

🧡 A Note for You on World Mental Health Day

If you’re reading this, please remember:

• Boundaries protect your peace.

• You don’t have to apologize for protecting your mental health.

• Therapy, support systems, and self-care aren’t luxuries. They’re necessities.

If your body, your gut, your espiritu are whispering “no,” listen. 

It’s not weakness. It’s wisdom.

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📚 Resources for You

I’ve gathered some mental health + veteran resources here.
If you’re in crisis, please call 911 or contact the 988 Lifeline. You’re not alone. Real help is available.

Entre Tias y Amiguis Podcast - Generational Healing in Comunidad

First Page - click here

Canvas of Courage - Art Therapy in Phoenix, Arizona

The Vet Center - West Valley - AZ or Phoenix Vet Center or Vet Centers

Mental Health America - click here

Apricus Coaching - click here

VA Mental Health Services - click here

JMach Podcast - Connecting Veterans Through Conversation

The Aya Mission - Veterans Exploring Entheogenic Ceremonies

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📌 Quick Note (Because We Keep It Real Here)
I’m not a therapist, psychologist, or doctor — and I don’t pretend to be. Everything I share is rooted in my lived experience. Please consult a licensed professional for personalized support.

If you're in crisis, call 911 or contact the 988 Lifeline. You're not alone. Real help exists, and you deserve it.