A Pep Talk for Those Who Are Feeling Discouraged

September 5, 2021 7:59 pm / Posted in ,

If you have found yourself feeling isolated, drained, or hopeless during most or some of the past year and a half, I promise you that you are not alone. After several rounds of lockdowns and a generally ambiguous, unpredictable global climate (pun begrudgingly intended), many of us are feeling just about tapped out. Exercise, who? Health goals, where?

Admittedly, it’s almost too easy to lose yourself when there’s so much going on in the world. And boy, has there been a lot going on in the world! An increase in mental health issues generally results in a decrease in both self-care and community care, since everyone is too worried about the future to focus on what’s good in the present.

I know you’ve probably been struggling. Things may feel pretty bleak with the rise of the delta variant of the coronavirus and the looming threat of another lockdown. Some concern is only logical – we still have no idea what the next few years could look like. But we cannot let ourselves be paralyzed by the fear of a future we can’t predict. For today, all of us still have our health, our loved ones, and this moment to make the most of. That’s something – and it’s not insignificant.

I strongly encourage all of you to start to cultivate moments of joy in your life. Yes, things are uncertain, but why make that the focal point of your one, precious life?

Social interaction is incredibly important to mental health. Make sure to surround yourself with your support network, including family, friends, and folks who have similar interests to you. It’s okay to lean on each other. And on your stronger days, you can return the favour and be the one others lean on. That’s the beauty and power of community care.

Healthy habits also help keep your mental health on track. This includes regular exercise, eating plenty of fresh foods, mindfulness practices like Tai Chi or yoga, and reaching out for help when you’re struggling. This is what true self-care is: showing up for yourself today so you can feel good about the life you’re leading. It’s more than bubble baths and face masks; it is the daily practice of taking care of your body, mind, and spirit.

We have so much life left to live, whether or not we can dine in restaurants or travel to far-off paradises. There is so much beauty all around us; it’s in ourselves, in our loved ones, and in the nature that surrounds us. I encourage you to remember that you only get to live this life once! It’s worthwhile to leave it all out on the dance floor.

I’ll see you when you’re ready to boogie.

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