Let’s clear the air. Social media is not the best arena for your mental health to thrive.
Here’s why…
Social media has the potential to negatively impacts psychological well-being. There are a few reasons why this is the case. Social media tends to be a flashy highlight reel of the lives of others. On top of that, there is social currency that people collect through the form of likes, shares, and of course attention. Social currency is a term coined by Bailey Parnell. While this instant gratification may feel good for our egos in the moment, it is short-lived and leaves us feeling empty and hungry for more.
Very rarely does social media show the hard, difficult days that require resilience. This can leave people feeling less-than or not good enough if they believe their life does not measure up to what they see on social media. This leads to a lot of comparisons.
The need and desire to check social media, check notifications, and be constantly connected can lead to addiction. Social media addiction is toxic for mental health. In the Ted Talk below, Parnell also links anxiety and depression to social media because social media creates an environment of highlight reels, comparison, and the fear of missing out
It is so very important to follow your interests and hobbies. They are often breadcrumbs that give us insight into how to live a meaningful and fulfilling life. For instance, I enjoy fitness, yoga, hiking with my dog, learning, and listening to educational podcasts. These are just a few examples. What do you enjoy? What are you naturally drawn towards? What do you get totally absorbed doing?
Honoring your hobbies is an amazing outlet and form of self-care. When hobbies take the form of habits, that is when we can create and sustain feelings of ease, purpose, and happiness.
Today I go back to work. It’s Monday, November 18th. I’ve been out of work since Monday, September 9th, which was two days before my right side mastectomy. In the last few weeks, and even more so in the last few days, I’ve felt a slew of emotions ranging from excitement to fear of getting back to my normal, day-to-day routine and grind. Perhaps I am anticipating the loss of my new normal.
For the last two months, I’ve been resting, healing, and relying on the support of others. As I transition into my new routine, or old routine, I know that it will feel different, because I’m different now. With everything I’ve gone through I’ve learned so much in so little time. I tell everyone it’s been a whirlwind, because it has.
I’ve learned the value of rest. I’ve learned what it means to take care of myself and also to ask for help. I’ve taken the time to reflect, live deliberately and reassess my values and vision that I have for this beautiful life I’ve been given. I’ve learned to hone in on my gifts from God – the gift of communication, writing, creativity, and resilience. I am strong. I am healthy. I have faith. I am resilient.
This has been one of my favorite seasons in my life. When I first discovered I was diagnosed with a subtype of a breast cancer, my entire world changed right in that moment. Everything went fast and slow at the same time. My first instinct was to lean on others, to build up my army of support. My family and friends and loving boyfriend have been incredible throughout this challenging trial in my life. And that’s what it is, to this day, a trial and a testament to my ability to face challenges and deal with the curve balls life throws at us. I refused to identify myself as someone who has cancer. No. I didn’t have cancer. I was dealing with cancer, because it was not a part of me, and it wasn’t there to stay. It was going to be gone soon and forever. I just had to go through the steps and grow through the process.
As I settle back into my day-to-day, my goal is to be gentle with myself. EmpowerU, the amazing mind, body, and soul retreat I attended in early November gave me the insight to transition into the next season of my life. The voice in my head that says I’m not enough is something I mock now. Who is that voice to boss me around and make me feel small, when I am meant to take up space and shine bright in this world? I laugh at that voice. I used to take it so seriously and would cower in the shadows when it’s nastiness had its grip on my soul. Goodbye, nasty voice in my head. You’re a joke, a fool, a menace. Good riddance.
I am strong, I have faith, and I am healthy. I am enough. Even as I face the demands of the daily grind, I am enough. I will show my weakness, I will ask for help, and I will share my gifts un-apologetically.
I am ready for you, Monday. I love you, Monday. I am at peace with you, Monday.
Hello everyone! My name is Jenna and I am the creator and the voice of Life’s Little Insights! Blogging is a whole new world to me, however writing is a passion I’ve had since I was young.
I am here to tell my story. My biggest goal over the last year has been to express myself fully, without holding back. I have a BIG personality, and I love to let my light shine. This blog will allow me to shine this light on as many people as possible!
This blog is so important to me because there was a time in the winter months of 2019 that I felt I could no longer express myself without fear of failure, being perceived as “too much”, or wondering what other people thought of me. I started to feel inadequate, and started to carry a dark cloud over my head. Anyone that knows me personally knows that this sounds absolutely absurd, because I am known to be a very bubbly, energetic and friendly person.
I am a singer, a dancer, a writer, a speaker. I love all forms of expression, and this was something I started to oddly have a hard time with. There came a time when I was absolutely fed up with my looming feelings of inadequacy and lack of ability to do the things I loved. One night, in the quiet hours of the evening, I was by myself – and I was afraid. I was afraid of the voice in my head that was telling me I would never be good enough.
Instead of hiding these nasty thoughts in the shadows, I reluctantly shed light on the lies in my head by reaching out to my boyfriend. I needed to let someone in so they could get a glimpse of exactly what I was going through. It took me a while to admit that I was struggling with my mental health. I’m so glad I did, because my boyfriend said something to me that evening that I will never forget,
“Nobody should ever have to feel that way, Jenna.”
Those are the words that prompted me to show my weakness, be vulnerable and ask for help. I called the doctor the next day, voice shaking, and said, “I need to make an appointment, I just don’t feel like myself.” This was the start of my mental health journey. This was the start of me actually listening to my body and what it was telling me. Admitting my weakness and leaning on others made me stronger.
This brings me to one of my major points. In the midst of my mental health journey, I discovered something else. A suspicious lump in my breast. I knew deep down something was wrong, and out of place. I spoke up about this. And I’m glad I did. It turned out, in July of 2019, I was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer.
The challenges that I’ve faced and overcome in the last year is why I am here. I am here to express myself, and I am here to live my life unapologetically. I am here for YOU, so you can do the same. I am here to let you in on life’s little insights.
I am an advocate for mental health and women’s health. My faith is my foundation. I am working towards BIG goals – finishing my MBA and aiming to be DEBT FREE by the age of 30. I love food, and I love fitness and am proud of leading a healthy lifestyle. I love people, and language, and culture. I am an advocate, a promoter, a teacher, and a confidant.
This is my story. I am happy you are here, and I am happy to share.
Life's Little Insights 