It’s a new year and what a better time for a new, a BETTER you! Most are worried about the new on the outside, but what really makes the difference is the new on the inside. Our mental health is more important than our outer appearance.
For so long, the stigma of mental illness has forced many people, especially blacks, to hide their mental health issues behind the veil of their outer appearance. It has been believed that outgoing personalities, expensive clothes, fancy cars, money, beauty, overall fame and fortune was equal to happiness. Oftentimes, those who are searching for love use money and those who are searching for money use their love, or the promise of it.
Although it has been proven time after time that money can’t buy true love and beauty is only skin deep, the inability for the majority of us to find happiness from within keeps the vicious cycle going. Decades of reference to mental health patients being referred to as crazy, coocoo, looney, off, etc. has given mental illness such a negative connotation that it has become commonplace for people to mask it. An individual not liking what he/she sees in the mirror or unresolved traumatic experiences can result in the most common mental health issues that are seen today…depression and anxiety. This is easily covered up from the outer appearance and facades.
In order to hide their pain, those who are unhappy with themselves usually pretend to be someone they are not, are people pleasers, bully others, hide behind a bunch of make-up and copy others. If they do not feel accepted as part of the “in crowd” they are offended. They often follow instead of lead and will often not stand up for what they truly believe because of the fear of what others may think. In addition, they are often disloyal to their friends and are usually jealous. There are some with a few characteristics and the worst ones may have all of them. We all know several people like this, but you probably think they are living a perfect life; what they want you to think. They’ve been pretending for so long that they’ve convinced themselves that they are living the perfect life.
In 2022, we owe it to ourselves to be our TRUE SELVES. Taking care of our mental health…truly identifying who we are and loving who we are …imperfections and all, is the only way to absolute happiness. God made us perfectly imperfect, yet so many are striving to look just like those who care nothing about us…competing for love, respect, accolades from those who have the same struggles that we do. If we put that extra time and effort into our mental health, we would add more quality time and enjoyment to our lives, surrounding ourselves with people who truly love and value us.
In 2022, I challenge you to remove the mask, the facade. Look in the mirror and say, “you are beautiful, and I love you”. ” There will be a New you in 2022.” Say it and believe it. Forget starting off with the weight loss, eating habits, etc. If they didn’t change in 19, 20, and 21, 22 will be no different. I challenge you. If you work on what matters most first, the mental, the other areas will be easier because you’ll be doing those things for you and not for everyone else. The negative and fake people will remove themselves and the need for you to be around them will be less. You will have more time to develop quality relationships and the quantity won’t matter. You will begin to feel healthier mentally which will allow you to do better physically. Watch how you look better; the glow will keep you from needing the make-up. We owe it to ourselves and our children and future generations to break the cycle. Now is the time. Today….let’s start the New Year off right by making 2022 the Year of The New You!
Dying to be Perfect 