The Power of Vulnerability: A Young Woman’s Honest Perspective on Mental Health

Last updated: February 3, 2026

Vulnerability is not about sharing everything with everyone. Vulnerability is about daring to be honest about what is going on inside you, in a way that feels safe. And that is exactly what can create recognition and connection.

In the Netherlands, we still see that mental health is a major issue among young people. In March 2024, 1 in 3 young people experienced mental health struggles, according to the RIVM.
https://www.rivm.nl/gezondheidsonderzoek-covid-19/kwartaalonderzoek-jongeren/eerdere-metingen/meting-11

Performance pressure also remains a major theme. In 2025, 61 percent of young people between the ages of 12 and 30 say they regularly or often experience performance pressure.
https://www.nji.nl/databanken/cijfers/cijfers-over-prestatiedruk

In this blog, I am sharing a conversation with Daphne. Daphne is a good friend of mine and has been open for quite some time about mental health, decision stress, and pressure from society. She also creates content about these topics on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/dapsdilemma/

The answers below are written from Daphne’s perspective and have not been changed.

Interview with Daphne

A good friend of mine, Daphne, is also deeply engaged with the topics that come up in my blogs. Daphne has been very open about her struggles with mental health. She does not know what she wants when it comes to work, she feels enormous pressure from society, and at the same time she feels overwhelmed by the number of choices.

I really admire how vulnerable Daphne allows herself to be. She had been thinking for a while about doing more with these topics, and now she has. On her Instagram page, @dapsdilemma, she wants to talk about real stories, real doubts, worries, and dilemmas.

It seems like there is growing awareness of mental health struggles, social pressure, stress, and all the rest within our generation, but Daphne stands out in how openly she expresses her thoughts and feelings. That is exactly why I wanted to invite her onto my blog. Because where does she find the courage to speak about it so openly?

I asked Daphne the following questions:

Daphne, how are you doing right now? Do you feel good in yourself?

Hey Jur! I’m glad you asked. Overall, I’m doing really well. I feel quite steady. Which sometimes, oddly enough, still catches me off guard. Do you recognise that? During my entire student life, I was so busy trying to figure out who I was and what I wanted. Looking back now, I think: wow, emotionally that really was pretty intense, with a lot of highs and lows. And actually, I was so focused on that the whole time that now that life feels calmer, I sometimes think: okay… now what? My studies are finished. I have a lovely relationship and a nice job. Is this it?

But often we do not stop to appreciate what we already have because we are always aiming for more, better, more fun, more beautiful. Being grateful and fully content with what you have, without constantly wanting more, is, I think, the essence of being truly happy. So I am really trying to embrace this phase completely. And I am getting better at that. In that sense, wisdom really does come with age haha.

Where did the idea come from to start @dapsdilemma, how do you feel it is going so far, and what do you most want to achieve with your page?

I had been thinking for a while about starting my own page. I just did not know exactly what I wanted to do with it. Maybe inspire people or motivate them? At the same time, I was going through quite a difficult phase myself. I had finished my studies and could not seem to find a job where I really felt in the right place. I increasingly felt like I had simply chosen the wrong degree. But your studies take up such a huge part of your life, your identity. What was I supposed to do if this was not it at all? I started getting a lot of stress related symptoms. From sleeping badly and panic attacks to heart palpitations. And in the meantime I just kept dragging myself along. It got worse by the day. Eventually, I decided to speak up. Not only to my managers, but also to my friends and family. And the more I talked about it, the more people I met who were struggling with the same things. And that was such a relief. Knowing I was not alone.

Our generation has had to deal with a lot. From zero stimulation and being forced to stay inside during the pandemic, to suddenly having to go full speed ahead again. We are collectively burned out while trying to get a foot in the door in a terrible housing market, all while carrying serious student debt. I really think we should not underestimate the impact of that.

And while I am trying to wrap my head around these kinds of questions, I also often notice that I barely see these kinds of conversations or topics online. Yes, I talk about them with friends and colleagues. But why is my Instagram feed not full of them?
The moment I open social media, I am triggered from every side. Events. Milestones. Happy faces. And occasionally one honest post. But why are we not talking more about the things that, apparently, so many people are dealing with?

So I decided to write about exactly that. And there it was: Daps Dilemma. I have to admit, I had a bit of a dip after launching it. The more I pushed myself to write, the less came out. Until one morning I realised: this is exactly the problem. That constant striving for perfection. So I promised myself to simply write more often about whatever came to mind. Not always long, deeply reflective essays. A reminder or a quote is perfectly fine too.

Do you have any idea why you are able to share your stories about these sensitive topics so powerfully? Where does that courage and strength come from?

That is sweet of you to say! I think I have just always had a good feeling for words, and for some reason it comes quite naturally to me to put my feelings into words, on paper or on a screen. I also genuinely love talking with people for hours, and I like taking in other people’s perspectives too. I do not think that makes me stronger than others or more courageous, but maybe it just means I am slightly better at putting things into words.

I can imagine you could make a big impact on people who draw inspiration from your stories. Do you also have a future dream that fits with that?

For now, that dream is to share more. Really share. Through writing and making videos. I would love to eventually be able to share all my thoughts and ideas with people. To build some kind of community where people can find each other for support and advice. A place where there is always a listening ear. And a lot of understanding.
Because loneliness, or feeling like you are the only one struggling with something, is honestly one of the worst feelings there is. And it would mean a lot to me if I could eventually motivate and inspire other people. And if that could help start certain conversations.

What are you grateful for today?

So much! Life itself. My lovely family and friends. The fact that I am healthy. But if I had to choose one thing? A healthy head. I am so grateful that over the years I have developed a much healthier mindset towards myself and my self image. Because of that, I have become better at putting things into perspective, I regulate my emotions better, and I can now see much more clearly what is worth my energy and what is not. Life has genuinely become more enjoyable because of it.

I always say: rule your mind or it will rule you. Mindset and self love are things you can teach yourself, 100 percent. It is not easy, but it is possible. And the feeling and peace it brings you? I honestly wish that for everyone. And if I can help someone with that, then I am truly a grateful person.

Jurren van der Gun & Daphne
Like Charlie

What we can take away from Daphne’s story

You are not the only one
Daphne describes how much relief she felt when she realised others were going through the same thing. That is often the first step towards more calm.

Perfection makes everything heavier
The more you push yourself to do it perfectly, the less space there is to feel what you actually need.

Real satisfaction can sometimes be found in embracing what is already there
Not always more, better, faster. Sometimes happiness is in appreciating what already feels stable.

Sharing can start small
Daphne shows that it does not always have to be a long piece of writing. Sometimes a short reminder can already be meaningful.

If this sounds familiar to you, here are three small steps

Choose one person and share one sentence
For example: I’m feeling a lot of pressure or I’m not really sure what I want right now.

Lighten your mind with one simple list
What costs energy, what gives energy, and what is one small step for this week?

Make your environment calmer
Mute accounts that make you feel restless and follow accounts that feel more honest, like Daphne’s page.

What this has to do with Like Charlie

Like Charlie is here to make mental health easier to talk about and to start and keep the conversation going.

View all story print T shirts:
https://www.likecharlieclothing.com/collections/t-shirts

Discover the question card game to make real conversations easier:
https://www.likecharlieclothing.com/collections/vragenspellen

Read our story and find out who Charlie is:
https://www.likecharlieclothing.com/pages/het-verhaal

Helpful resources

If you are struggling mentally, seek support. That can be with someone you trust, your GP, or through one of these places:

Young people (16 to 27):
https://www.injebol.nl/

Adults:
https://wijzijnmind.nl/
https://mindhulplijn.nl/

FAQ about vulnerability and mental health

How do you talk about mental health with friends?

Start small and be concrete. You do not have to share your whole story straight away. For example, say: I’m not feeling completely okay and I want to talk about it for a moment. Ask if someone can just listen, without trying to solve it immediately.

What if I’m afraid people will think I’m weird?

That fear is completely normal, especially if you are not used to sharing. Choose one person who feels safe. Often, the response is kinder and more understanding than you expect. And if someone reacts awkwardly, that usually says more about their own discomfort than about you.

How do I know if I “need help” or if this is just part of life?

If your symptoms continue for weeks, affect your sleep or functioning, or if you notice that you have less and less energy and joy, then it is wise to seek extra support. Start with your GP or a helpline.

Young people (16 to 27): https://www.injebol.nl/
Adults: https://mindhulplijn.nl/

What helps with decision stress and feeling stuck?

Limit your options, set a deadline, and choose one small next step. Decision stress often becomes smaller when you do not need to make the perfect choice straight away, but simply choose a direction that you can still adjust later.

What can I do if I am always chasing perfection?

Make it smaller and take the pressure off the result. Write one short sentence or share one thought with someone. Daphne says it beautifully: a reminder or quote is completely fine too. Sharing consistently often works better than performing perfectly.

Does gratitude really help?

Gratitude is not a solution to everything, but it can help shift your attention from more, better, further to what is already good right now. That can bring calm, especially in periods when your mind is always on.

How do you build a community with real conversations?

Start with honesty and repetition. Share recognisable moments, ask questions, and make it easy for others to respond. That is exactly what Daphne wants to do with Daps Dilemma.

Where can I find trustworthy information about mental health?

Good starting points are the RIVM for data and trends, Thuisarts for symptoms and next steps, and the MIND Helpline for support and guidance.

RIVM on young people and mental health:
https://www.rivm.nl/gezondheidsonderzoek-covid-19/kwartaalonderzoek-jongeren

Thuisarts, overview of mental health complaints:
https://www.thuisarts.nl/onderwerpen/psychische-klachten

MIND Helpline:
https://mindhulplijn.nl/

Sources

RIVM, Quarterly youth study, measurement 11 (March 2024)
https://www.rivm.nl/gezondheidsonderzoek-covid-19/kwartaalonderzoek-jongeren/eerdere-metingen/meting-11

NJi, figures on performance pressure (2025)
https://www.nji.nl/databanken/cijfers/cijfers-over-prestatiedruk

Daphne’s Instagram page
https://www.instagram.com/dapsdilemma/