VforVanity

I’ve spent the past couple of weeks watching, listening and learning how sentences are structured and used, how words are chosen and manipulated and the impact of these things on not only other people but events too. We all know that language bias is used by governments and media to control information and the reactions of the masses but we don’t see it so much when it’s happening to us or even when we are doing it.

Let’s take mental health as an example. The term mental health is used when describing someones difficulties with their state of mind. When using the term physical health, we are describing someone’s or our own ‘physical health’ good and bad. Why is there so much focus on the negative when it comes to mental health? Why does the term seem to only cover mental ill health?

To be honest, I feel that we don’t talk enough about positive physical health either but I do believe that by focussing so heavily on the difficulties of mental health we are contributing to the pandemic that is mental ill health. People are struggling more and more with the pressures of life and with good reason. We are living in the age of consumerism, we are permanently exposed to everyone else’s lives (usually the amazing parts and not all of the reality) which is making others feel they don’t have enough or they’re not doing enough. The pressures from within social media are affecting all ages and not just the teens who are definitely addicted to their phones but we all experience the subliminal push into insecurities.

There are of course many mental health disorders and conditions that are less affected by these pressures from out-with, however whenever someone feels down the conversation is directed to mental health. When someone holds their grandchild for the first time no one is talking about, as if feeling elated and proud isn’t mental health. It is. It’s good mental health. These positive emotions are mental health too. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s amazing that the mental health conversation is happening. Especially with men as they’ve been discouraged of this for a long long time. These conversations are imperative to ensuring people are in a position to take care of themselves and help others. I do worry that if we focus too much on only the difficulties and not the successes we add to the problem. We’ve all heard the expression ‘speaking things into existence’, is it the case that we are over exposing our minds to the negative and speaking mental ill health into existence?

I guess the reason I wanted to jump in here and write this is to ask that we take time to think about what we put out there. PLEASE PLEASE share when you are struggling, talk about the difficulties and challenges you’re having. Even if you don’t think they’re that big of a deal. You’ll gain so much healing just by talking and the people you talk to, will also heal because you let them in. However, I also ask that you talk about the positive times and feelings too, the good mental health days. Connect and share the light of the happy feelings and bright days. These moments will be more memorable for you when you share them and you’ll brighten the day for others too.

Let’s talk about all mental health, not just the bad, not just the good. The all encompassing meaning of mental health. Every feeling you have is important and the people around you want to know. And as always spend time taking care of you. look after your physical and mental health. There are many different ways to do this. Do what works for you. Remember we are told on flights to ensure put our own masks on first so we are able to help those around us? Life is like that too, you have to take care of you first. Learn to love you the way want and deserve to be loved. It comes from you first. Connect with others and share your awesomeness.

See you on the daisy chain!