Can't Fix The Roof When It's Pouring

So the ceiling came down yesterday. It's been raining for over a week here and a small leak in the roof was enough for water to slowly and steadily seep through into the plaster. The plaster became too heavy and gave way with a big crash.

Today, the construction crew came and the muddy plaster has been cleaned up, the ceiling provisionally patched with tarp and duct tape, and a tarp spread over the leaky part of the roof. We've gone two or three hours without water dropping down from the ceiling.

So far so good.

Obviously, this is not a solution.

Alas, it is raining. Rainy days are the worst time to fix a roof. Then again, rainy days are the times when you also most need a roof.

The irony is not lost on me.

The roof can't be fixed as long as it is raining.

The water will continue to be an issue for as long as it is raining.

Perhaps, there will be more damage.

After it stopped raining, everything will need a good deal of time to dry.

By the time it is dry, the urgency to fix the roof will be gone.

The roof will probably not be fixed.

The ceiling will come down again next time it rains for this long.

The similarity of this leaky roof situation to difficult mental health situations is striking, no?

The worst time to take care of your mental health is when you have a hard time with your mental health. At the same time, as long as you are well, you don't feel particularly inclined to do something for your mental health. After all, there is no damage.

But all it takes is a small leak where things can seep in slowly over time. If you do not patch it, eventually, the ceiling will soak through and collapse. You will have your burnout, get your panic attack, succumb to your breakdown.

If you are lucky, it's going to be just one day of heavy rain. There will be a few drops of water and a wet spot on the ceiling but the room will still be usable. By the time the next day rolls around and it is sunny again, you'll not think about the leak anymore.

If you are unlucky, though, it's not going to stop raining for weeks. There will be water dropping off the ceiling, then the ceiling will collapse. There will be collateral damage in the room and nobody will be able to fix it because it just keeps raining.

Don't let that happen with your emotional and mental well-being.

Fix the leaks. Immediately. Even when they are small.

It's not "nothing".

You don't "get over it".

Keep your roof in good shape for when the rain comes.

Because it's going to come.

And it’s only going to be a problem if you have a leaky roof.