The Rising Trend of Emotional Healing and Mental Health
Let go of the pressure to be the best version of yourself and learn to accept your flaws as part of the journey.
SELF & WELLNESS
There's a whole lot of chatter about emotional healing and mental health, and it's about time! More people are embracing self-care and valuing their well-being, which is fantastic. However, as we become increasingly aware of our mental health, it's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of always being our best selves. And that often leaves us feeling like we don't quite measure up.
Embracing imperfection through life's challenges
Some people try really hard to make themselves look ''flawless'' on social media, but this can set unrealistic expectations that are hard to meet. It's essential to remember that it's perfectly fine not to be okay sometimes. In fact, it's through our struggles and imperfections that we truly grow and gain strength.
Picture this scenario: you've recently experienced a divorce, and your emotions are all over the place. As you scroll through your feed, you come across "divorce cakes" and parties celebrating newfound freedom. While some people feel the need to celebrate, you may be dealing with a whirlwind of emotions like disbelief, worry, fear, and anger.
Instead of hiding these feelings, try embracing the messiness of the situation. It's okay to feel down. Give yourself time to heal and grieve what you've lost. Lean on a friend's shoulder for support. Eventually, things will get better, and you'll grow through the experience, learning how to create healthier relationships in the future.
‘‘ But don't rush the process–allow yourself the space to just be you, no matter how low you might feel. There's no need to prove anything to anyone.’’
Now, picture another scenario. You have just welcomed a beautiful baby into the world. Naturally, you're overwhelmed by the demands of new parenthood. Everything is new, and you're constantly trying to decipher your little one's needs. You might have a support system, but that's not always the case.
Scrolling through social media, you see new mums hitting the gym mere weeks after giving birth or new parents making healthy meals with a baby in their arms. You can't help but wonder, "What am I doing wrong? Why can't I find the time to do these things? Am I not good enough?"
Guess what? You're doing amazing! It's okay to rock the unwashed, messy hair look and not cook healthy meals every day. As a new parent, your top priority should be taking care of yourself and simply surviving those first few weeks. Don't worry too much about being the best version of yourself. This is a time for bonding with your baby and adjusting to your new role, which means embracing the beautiful chaos of your situation.
Open up to imperfection and its rewards
When we take a step back and embrace the fact that, hey, we're all a little flawed, it's like a breath of fresh air. All of a sudden, we give ourselves the space to contemplate and heal. And slowly, we notice a shift in our overall well-being. Because as we get to know our imperfect selves, we develop a newfound sense of self-awareness and, with it, self-compassion and empathy for others.
Life has its fair share of ups and downs. But by welcoming our imperfections, we learn to cope, adapt, and become more resilient in the face of whatever comes our way.
Now, here's the really good part: when we embrace our vulnerabilities, we let our guard down, and we show our authentic selves to the world. We make connections with other people that are deeper and more meaningful. We lay the groundwork for long-lasting, supportive relationships.
So where to start? Start by acknowledging that sometimes it's okay to not be okay.
Sources:
-Neff, K. D. (2003b) Self-Compassion: An alternative conceptualization of a healthy attitude toward oneself. Self and Identity.
-Bruk, A., Scholl, S. G., & Bless, H. (2018) Beautiful mess effect: Self-other differences in evaluation of showing vulnerability. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.