Mental Health & Instagram - it can be a struggle…
Hey guys, Dana here! Today I'm going to give a quick little note regarding mental health and IG. Now mental health is something that is very near and dear to my heart. I am an open book when it comes to my struggle with mental health and am always here to chat if anyone of you ever needs it.
To give you the Coles Notes version, I started to struggle with anxiety when I was in grade 7 - it became completely crippling for about 10 years. Through finding the right counselor and exploring different avenues I am happily *living* with my anxiety now, it no longer controls me, I control it.
When I said “living with my anxiety” I meant exactly that. It will be something I have in my life forever, it's just who I am and I am good with that. I wouldn’t be my sassy creative self without it 😉
SO Instagram and mental health! It's proven that social media can have a poor impact on your mental health, it can be addictive, it can have you comparing yourself to others, and we can get obsessed over the numbers.
So let's use our social media for some GOOD!
Limit your time scrolling. Set a time limit when you are cruising IG feeds and use it productively and kindly. Engage with other accounts, leave nice comments and throw out some likes! (This will make someone else feel good, you feel good, and GROW your account!)
MUTE or unfollow - If there are accounts that are triggering to you or make you feel bleh - mute them or unfollow! You feel how you feel, and there is no need to apologize for that.
Give yourself GRACE! You do not have to post everyday or even every other day! If you are struggling to be creative or don’t feel like posting - don’t. Yes consistency is key with growing your account online, but your mental health is more important. So be kind and maybe re-use some content or a tip you have shared before. Guaranteed a lot of your followers haven’t seen it or don’t remember it.
Always put yourself first. The social media world is a beast and it is totally normal to feel overwhelmed by it. Feel free to always reach out to Jaime and I for more tips and support. We are here for you always, every step of the way.
Love, D
