Peace of Mind
Editor’s note: Originally published on August 20th, 2018. This post continues to evolve as I do. It’s updated to reflect growth, gratitude, and perspective gained since then.
Welcome back, curious minds and kind souls.
It’s been a while since I’ve posted here, and I didn’t expect to take such a long break, but life had other plans. Between moving out in Texas and settling back home in Illinois, these last few weeks have been full of transition (and boxes as I’m still unpacking). But I’m finally back.
Today, I want to revisit a topic that’s just as important now as it was back then: mental health in the age of social media.
Several years ago, I had the opportunity to collaborate with Chris Morandi, a Licensed Professional Counselor, on a blog post about this very topic. At the time, he ran a website dedicated exploring the intersection of mental wellness and online life. Though his website, and our original post, are no longer available, I still want to revisit the heart of what we shared.
We talked about the pressure to perform and present a curated version of ourselves online, how easy it is to compare our behind-the-scenes to someone else’s highlight reel, and how that constant scroll can slowly chip away at our self-worth if we’re not careful.
And I’ll be honest, some of that hits closer to home now than it did back in the day. When you’re having a bad day or going through a tough period in life, it can be hard to see highlight after highlight on your feed. Everyone else’s joy can start to feel like a reminder of what you’re missing. It’s easy to slip into feeling like you’re falling behind, or you’re not doing enough. I’ve been there. That’s why, from personal experience, I’ve learned to protect my peace. Whether it meant muting certain accounts, unfollowing altogether, or stepping away from social media entirely, I did what I what I felt was most necessary. At one point, that even meant taking an extended break from blogging. And you know what? That distance helped me reset.
At one point, I noticed a family member, who advocated for mental well-being and even since then, I also became a supported of mental wellness. I think it’s something all of us can relate to at some point in our lives, especially when we see people change, show up differently than they once used to, and not always knowing what to make of it.
Even now, I’m learning that we don’t need to have it all figured out to talk about it. We just need to start somewhere. And for me, that somewhere is here, sharing pieces of my own journey with the hope that it makes someone else feel seen.
So, while the original post may be gone, the message remains: take care of your mental health. Be mindful of what you consume, and even more mindful of how it makes you feel. Log off when you need to. Talk it out when life gets heavy. And give yourself grace in the process.
You’re not alone in this.
And at the end of the day, it’s okay to need space. It’s okay to not feel okay, and to admit that the online world doesn't always make it feel easier. But giving yourself room to breathe, to disconnect, and to come back when you’re ready? That’s part of self-care too. If anything, these moments have taught me that protecting your peace doesn’t make you weak, it means you’re listening to yourself. And that’s something to be proud of.
As a signature of my blog, I’d like to end this post with a suggestion to “Pass on kindness.” There’s no time like the present to Inspire Those Who Inspire You. Acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, can have a direct, positive impact on someone else. Go out there today and change someone’s life for the better!
***These are my personal opinions and may not be those of my employer.***