Battling Depression

By TAMARA CUMMINS

As a young girl growing up it was always a habit of mine to plan everything down to the smallest detail possible. As naive as it sounds that was me. I planned that when I became an adult I would have everything together and it would be just like I imagined. Well, let me just say that little Tamara was so wrong. It felt as if not long after becoming an "adult" life just began throwing everything at me and quite frankly I was not prepared. Writing is something that I hold dear to my heart and I find so much joy and peace of mind from it. When everything started happening all at once, I felt so overwhelmed and I didn't even recognize myself at times. Anyone who knows me can tell you that I'm a bubbly soul and that has always been me. When I was around people I seemed to have it all together or at least that's what I thought, but even my friends and family could've sensed the shift. Everything felt like a challenge and as time went it got worse on the inside. I would try so hard to put on a smile, to keep up the façade even though that inner girl was falling apart. I stopped writing and I kept it all bundled up inside so that I won't be a burden to anyone since I'm supposed to be the one that everyone else comes to and not the other way around. Let's just say my mental health was a wreck!

It took me a while to decide to even write this piece because it's a part of me that is a working progress. I have to constantly remind myself that it's okay to not feel your best today, however, the most important part is to still try. It's okay to talk about your mental health because having mental stability is such a beautiful gift. I also have to remind myself that I don't have to be ashamed to speak my story because it may be just what someone else out there needs.

Teens face depression and other mental issues as much as anyone else does. These illnesses do not discriminate race, gender, political background and even financial stability; anyone can fall into the traps. It is also common for people to think that teens have nothing to worry about but that too is another misconception. They too have emotions and face their own challenges. Having an education is such a privilege, however, in our pursuit for greatness, it can all be overwhelming more so when coupled with the stress that it all brings. This is why it is important for persons to have safe spaces; havens. Places that they can go to or even people that they can go to for help; all to just clear their minds. Our society should make it easier for persons to talk about such issues that are affecting our youths and country at large. It just pains my heart to see people take their own lives.

Mental health is sometimes such a strange concept to many persons because they were taught not to express themselves from a small age. "You must stay in a child's place," or even "Children must be seen and not heard". We all have our own voices and must be allowed to freely express these opinions. Society has even created a scourge on the male populace saying it is not okay to cry, you must be a man, real men don't cry and never express your true emotions because real men are strong and "feels" is not what men do. Take a moment to consider these points then answer this, what really is a man and should a man only possess physical strength? All of this just needs to stop!

I know that not everyone will feel comfortable with this piece but that's not my goal. This is the 21st century and it's about time we stop tipping toe around this issue. We all hurt so why is it so wrong to say I'm hurting and I need help? Aren't we supposed to be our brother's and sister's keepers? If we are ever to move forward we must make mental health a priority at home, at school in the workplace and society at large. Take a moment, now can't you see it? Look closer look at how much brighter our world can be. Don't you see how much more positive it all looks?

Not everyone is fortunate as I am to have a good support system and I must thank God for them because I don't know where I would be without them. We should all take up the mantle and choose to be more aware of our mental health, feeling unafraid to tap into all of it. It is our nature to run away from such feelings. I too was and to some extent, I'm still guilty of this but what good do you think will ever come out from running away? It'll all just accumulate over time and make you toxic.

Make time for yourself. Treat yourself to something and pamper yourself. It doesn't have to break the bank. Simply taking care of your body, in general, can uplift your spirit. Plan a trip with your squad or even take yourself on an adventure it will be an eye-opening experience whereby you learn how to deal with yourself and to love and accept yourself for the amazing being that you were created to be.

Let us all take a pledge to embark on this journey where we can all be #mentallypositivealldayeveryday. Share the hashtag with a selfie on the various social networks in addition to this blog post so that your friends and family can also be a part of this movement. Moreover, feel free to share your experience with mental health in the comment section and even support these events.


-xoxo Mara
Instagram: adventures_with_mara

Comments

  1. Unknown8 October 2018 at 18:37

    Love itttttt!
    Mental illness awareness in this country is often treated as a foreign concept; a thing of the westerners.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown11 October 2018 at 06:58

    It is important to ensure that there is a strong mind in order to have a healthy body too. With this in mind we need to be cognizant of what we feed our minds and instead since the mind is an avenue to our souls,guard it! After all even strong walls crumble and strong columns weakend. Let us remember more than ever that we need not lose ourselves in the good for others but self-preservation is key to maintaining mental stability.✌

    ReplyDelete

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