So this week has been mental health awareness week. Of course I was not going to let it slip by and not say anything about it. Even if I have left it until the last day to post something. Mental health is a massive part of me and who I am. I want to try and do my bit to change the narrative on it and make a difference. Even if it’s just 1 person that I help I will be so happy with that and me writing this will be worth it. I’m still working up the courage to share everything that I’ve been through over the last 5 years but I’m working on it and one day I will pluck up the courage and tell you about it. Let’s just say the words: Anxiety, Depression and Suicide and that should cover the broad spectrum of it. Anyway back to this year and not my story for now. This year’s theme for Mental Health Week is ‘Body Image’ which is so important in the age of FaceTune and photoshop. Which are readily and widely available to anyone with a smartphone or a tablet. Both of which can alter everything so easily and then everyday people end up feeling shit about themselves because they see this fake and altered image/content and think thats what they have to look like to be beautiful and seen as worthy. NEWS FLASH. ITS FAKE, MANIPULATIVE AND NOT OKAY to any extent. So I wanted to use this post to give you all a list of things that I think you all should know regarding mental health and body image. Not just for this week of mental health week but for any week of the year whenever you feel down, need reminding of how amazing you are and need a lil boost of positivity. 30 things you all need to know:
1. You are allowed to love yourself in any way you want to. Whether that’s on a physical level, emotional level or even on a spiritual level. Or all three. 2. Every single bad situation you find yourself in is temporary and it WILL end. 3. You have survived every single bad day so far; you can survive the next one or the one that’s happening right now. 4. Asking for help and admitting you’re struggling is NOT a sign of weakness. It takes so much fucking courage. 5. If you need medication to help you get through the day and/or to feel better then that is 100% okay and you should NOT be shamed for it. 6. If you have a lapse or fall down or take a few steps backwards it’s okay. They happen. Recovery is NOT linear. It’s a journey. 7. Everyone is not talking about you. What you think happened and what people think of you is probably not true and the total opposite to the reality. 8. Everyone’s journey and experience of mental illness is different so don’t compare. 9. The mind is powerful. You can think your way out of something difficult and tell yourself that you are gonna be okay. 10. If people really love you they will not react badly if you tell them you are struggling or need help. They will accept you regardless and help you to feel better in any way they can. If they do react badly then they are not worthy enough to know you and you deserve so much better than that. 11. People who promote skinny or weight loss teas/products, use FaceTune/Photoshop to make their skin flawless and alter their body size and appearance should be ashamed of themselves. 12. Something that you don’t like about yourself could be the one thing that someone else wants more than anything in the world. You may hate your curly hair but one girl could dream of having it. So embrace every part of yourself that makes you, YOU. 13. Not everyone will like you or love you or think you are beautiful. Unfortunately the world is a pretty shitty place. But as long as YOU think you are beautiful… FUCK the rest. 14. Crying is not a sign of weakness. Crying is a beautiful expression of emotion and can be a release that you urgently need. 15. Don't ever bottle up how you are feeling because a problem shared is a problem halved. 16. Comparison can be the thief of joy. Try not to compare what you see online or around you in real life too. 17. Instagram is a reel of highlights and is NOT real life. The same goes for any form of social media. 18. Mental illness, if you have one, does NOT define you and it NEVER will. 19. STOP and BREATHE. Breathing is so simple and can make a world of difference. 20. If you need to take a time out and a ‘mental health day’ that’s totally okay. 21. There is no such thing as perfect. Especially in terms of bodies and appearance. 22. Be kind. You never know what someone is going through behind closed doors. 23. There are over 7 billion people on this earth. There is only 1 of you. Being different is NOT a bad thing. If everyone was the same the world would be so fucking boring. So you do you boo. The world needs different. 24. Your best is ALWAYS enough. Don’t ever think that it isn’t or let someone else tell you it isn’t. 25. You are amazing. 26. You are beautiful. 27. You are strong. 28. Eat that chocolate bar. Have that extra roast potato. Eat a big slice of lemon drizzle cake. Go for that drink after work with a friend. Skip the gym for a day. It can wait. You only live once. 29. Don't let 1 person stop you from doing what you want. If someone brings you down or tries to it’s a reflection of them and not of you, it’s their problem and they need to look at themselves. 30. Life is too short. Live it to the fullest. Credit to something I saw on instagram here but it’s so true I wanted to add it in: Life is way too short to spend another day of it at war with yourself. I hope you all take good care of yourselves every day and week of the year. If you are struggling then I’m sorry, I love you, I’m with you and I hope that one day you can feel better again. I really have been there and I’m out of the dark tunnel now but I’m not just saying it. At times it can seem impossible. And if you needed a reminder of how epic you are then I hope this post helped a little bit with that. For now I’ll say goodbye and I hope you all take care of yourselves and never ever forget how amazing you all are and don’t ever lose your sparkle. The world needs it more than you think. Love Jade xxx
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