Mental health affects all of us, whether we’re experiencing good mental health or struggling with it. It’s often overlooked in everyday life, yet it plays a huge role in how we function, cope, and enjoy our lives.
One thing that stands out to me is the importance of simply being yourself. Social media constantly surrounds us with opinions, trends, expectations, and unrealistic standards around appearance and behaviour. Over time, it’s easy to find ourselves changing just to fit in, even when it doesn’t truly make us happy.
It’s important to be yourself before you lose yourself, because losing who you are can lead to a very dark place.
If the people around you can’t accept you for who you are, it’s better to lose those people than lose yourself.
Be you. You may be surprised by how many people appreciate and accept the real you and by how much happier and freer you feel because of it. Reminder: If you or someone you know is struggling, please talk, talk, talk. Reaching out can make all the difference.
- Conor Thorneycroft
