"If I were to write a letter to my younger self about how to navigate mental health, I’d say..."

Choose your battles. Don't feel ashamed about the methods that work for you. It's better to be open about your mental state than to hide it (especially from yourself). I used to bottle up my trans feelings, and that tended to lead to binges that I mostly regret -- I wish I'd come out of the closet in my early 20's rather than my mid-20's. Positive thinking is bullshit unless you really believe in it: I think that's one of the struggles that everyone has with their mental health. Lots of people are told to 'be positive' as if it's a solution, but if you're depressed that's probably lying to yourself. 👍