LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Former 'Dancing with the Stars' star Cheryl Burke, 39, launched a new podcast called 'Sex, Lies, & Spray Tans', where she talks openly about challenges in her life and how she is coping with them.
In an interview with People, she revealed how she is dealing with her mental health issues and why she has "no end date" for her journey.
Why Cheryl Burke's mental health battle has 'no end date'
“I think what is overwhelming," she said, adding, "I can just say this from experience there's always light at the end of the tunnel, but there's no end date."
Burke said, “We're always, I believe I am at least, work in progress 'til the day I die," explaining that life is full of events that could affect her mental health, be it death, change, or meeting new people.
She compared it to her ongoing sobriety journey and declared that she has to take it "one little step at a time."
Why is it important for Cheryl Burke to be more present?
Burke also said that she has learned to be more present and mindful as living in the past or the future causes her too much anxiety.
One of the things that helps her to calm her anxiety is to sit in silence for a few minutes a day and just allow her thoughts and feelings to happen.
She suggested not to run away from it because then "you're screwed and that's where I was.”
"Just allow them, because thoughts, like feelings, literally happen," she said.
Why is Cheryl Burke not looking for happiness?
Burke also shared that she is not looking for happiness, but rather for contentment, because happiness is too unstable and unrealistic.
“Happiness, whatever that may be to you, is a lot,” Burke said, explaining, “To feel that high is just another high and it's like waves of the ocean, you're bound to go from high to low because that's just natural.
"Humans evolve naturally, whether you like it or not. You could fight it and be miserable or you can just ride with the wave," she added.
Burke has had many ups and downs in her life. She recently opened up about her vulnerabilities and letting her past go in April.
“I’m 38. I’m a trauma survivor. I’m 5 years sober. I’m recently divorced. I retired from my career last year. I feel like in many ways I’m starting over,” she wrote in April about her journey.