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Happy World Mental Health Day! I just decided to check in and write this quick post to talk a bit about mental health. I’ve dealt with depression in the past, and continue to deal with anxiety, so mental health is very close to my heart. Maybe one day I will write a whole thing being more specific about my experience, but I don’t think I’m there yet. Even now writing this I was sugar coating things, but I’m done doing that. Mental illnesses are real and it frustrates me to no end that people still won’t talk about it.
I love days like this where people everywhere take to the internet and flood it with messages of support for mental health awareness. Nothing makes me happier than when people actually TALK about mental health and mental illnesses- it’s the only way we can overcome it. Dealing with these things is difficult because people don’t talk about them. And those who do receive a lot of backlash. It’s still a taboo subject and yet over 42 million Americans suffer from a mental illness.
There are very few things that I have a strong opinion about or get political about, but mental health is one of them. It is so important for us to discuss mental health and make it something that people can talk about, especially if they are dealing with it. We need to stop the stigma, sooner rather than later. Because so many people need help, and we can help: yes, you and me.
I’ve been thinking a lot about my blog/ YouTube channel and whether it is all worth it. Sometimes I feel that I should just stop it all. No one reads it, no one is sharing it. It’s a waste of time.
But then I have days like today where I feel I need to write and share and create. And maybe, one day, someone will read this long rambling post and identify with it. And that would make it all worth it.
But for now, it takes some of the weight off me and allows me to express myself in a way that I am just too anxious to do in my real life. If you have met me you know that I’m very quiet. I’ve always kind of been like that, but recently it’s been getting increasingly difficult to break out of my shell and open up. It’s reminding me of how important it is to do what you need to do to care for yourself. There’s been so many times I say yes to things or I’m scared to do something that I know will make me feel better simply because i’m worried about what others will say/think.
If you are struggling with a mental health illness, (and yes I’m calling them illnesses because that’s what they are!) speak out. I know it’s so much easier to write than to actually do it, believe me it took me forever to go talk to someone. However, it really does feel better when you know someone knows what is happening.
Take care of yourselves. Listen to your mind and if you need to take a break- take the break. You know yourself better than anyone. You know what you need and what makes you feel better. And if you don’t, thats ok. Just keep trying different things and hopefully you will find something that relieves even the smallest amount of whatever you are going through. Talk and share your feelings, if only so you have people who know whats happening. Remember that things get better.
Leave some of your tips in the comments! And if you want, share some of your experience with mental health. Remember to use the #WorldMentalHealthDay to join the conversation.
xoxo Gabriela
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