What I mean is that OP is presenting a story, not a scientifically proven methods for mental health improvement. And perhaps some things worked for them. This is different from scientifically proven methods. Although useful, it is certainly not a given that the methods will work for you, it could even be so that they will have a negative effect on the majority of people. Still, there is value in these pieces, everyone is different, hence social science being difficult. One could use them to experiment, harm is unlikely to be caused. But, reading to much about self-help and just not getting started with it for whatever reason can also make you feel bad. It starts with acceptance imho. Anyway, just be careful with pieces like this is my advice. It worked for one person, OP. And there are a trillion more pieces with either similar of very different advice.