I’ll just start by saying—I’m not doing my best. Mentally, physically, spiritually. I’m realizing that I’ve been using a band-aid to barely cover a festering wound. It’s hard to wrap my head around everything: the changes ahead in my personal life, the ongoing horrors in the world (please check out @so.informed), and the constant sting of rejection. I feel defeated. And by always pushing forward, I’ve never really let myself feel it. So, here’s my call to action: take a break, as best you can, and give yourself grace.
Without diving too deep into the causes of my current mindset, I do know what’s having the biggest impact. And unsurprisingly that’s social media. There is no way I can give it up completely, but I can set limits. Now sticking to them is a challenge. Yet I know if I can I will be significantly more at peace.
My new limits:
15 minutes daily on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok
No social media within 1 hour of waking up or going to bed
Rewards if I actually stick to it (yes, I’m bribing myself)
I also need space to process. To feel what I’m feeling instead of numbing it. That means setting aside 30–60 minutes daily to journal, meditate, or cry if I need to. In a safe space of course that way I can actually feel what I need to.
Lastly, I’m focusing on grace. That means allowing myself to be imperfect in all of this. I’ll remind myself that it’s okay to feel tempted to scroll or to not have a revelation when journaling. This reassurance comes from self affirmations. And letting myself indulge when I need to (by that I mean watch a trashy tv show or scroll on Pinterest) without guilt.
I hope we can all offer ourselves a little grace. And take breaks from what harms us, when we can.
With love,
Becs
P.S. I know the tragedies in the world are overwhelming. I refuse to look away. I will continue to stay informed, to learn, and to support those who cannot afford to take a break from their terror—and I hope you will too.