Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Health and Wellness

To The Mental Illness That Doesn't Take A Summer Vacation

It may be getting warmer and the sun may be shining, but that doesn't mean that your soul is.

Gabby Florio

Jun 04, 2018

Boston University

287

To The Mental Illness That Doesn't Take A Summer Vacation

Instagram

To those suffering today,

I am sorry that your anxiety and depression will not take a vacation this summer.

I am sorry that your eating disorder doesn't stop just because school does.

I am sorry that the sunshine doesn't change the fact that things aren't easy for you right now.

Mental illnesses do not take time off. There are no sick days, no breaks, and definitely no vacations. You can be attempting to do your day to day work and then all of sudden you feel disconnected. You feel lost and afraid and almost like everyone and everything is moving in slow motion. And that can really wear a person down.

Not everyone is going to understand this. Not everyone is going to understand you. They've never taken a walk in your shoes. They've never had to go through each day pretending like everything is okay when it's really just not.

But, just because you are struggling right now, that does not mean that you are failing.

You don't have to be perfect all of the time. When you feel happy or sad or angry, it's a reminder that we're human. We're not supposed to be perfect at ANY time. There are always ways that we can fix some things and improve and just become overall better versions of ourselves.

Take some time this summer to focus on things that support your emotional well being. Even something as small as talking about your feelings with someone you trust can help you out. If you're ready, you may need to reach out to someone for professional help. And that's okay.

It may be getting warmer and the sun may be shining, but that doesn't mean that your soul is. And that's also okay.

Just know that you have plenty of time to improve upon yourself. You're not alone. You can feel better. It's going to take time and patience. The freedom of summer may help you with that.

And if your summer is busy, acknowledge that those appointments and that job and that family reunion can all be put on hold. You need to be your most important priority. Shut the world out if you need to. Just know that the world is ready to love you when you do decide to let it back in.

Use the summertime to help yourself. You've deserved it for feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders.

Love Always,

A Kind Heart

To talk to someone directly, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255.

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Politics and Activism

7 Ways to Make Your Language More Transgender and Nonbinary Inclusive

Making the world safer through language.

University of Pittsburgh

3347

7 Ways to Make Your Language More Transgender and Nonbinary Inclusive

With more people becoming aware of transgender and non-binary people, there have been a lot of questions circulating online and elsewhere about how to be more inclusive. Language is very important in making a space safer for trans and non-binary individuals. With language, there is an established and built-in measure of whether a place could be safe or unsafe. If the wrong language is used, the place is unsafe and shows a lack of education on trans and non-binary issues. With the right language and education, there can be more safe spaces for trans and non-binary people to exist without feeling the need to hide their identities or feel threatened for merely existing.

Keep Reading...Show less

transgender

Entertainment

What It’s Like To Be A Strong Woman, As Told By Blair Waldorf

Queen B sums it up for us.

Rutgers University

1231

Stop Hollywood

For those of you who have watched "Gossip Girl" before (and maybe more than just once), you know how important of a character Blair Waldorf is. Without Blair, the show doesn’t have any substance, scheme, or drama. Although the beginning of the show started off with Blair’s best friend Serena returning from boarding school, there just simply is no plot without Blair. With that being said, Blair’s presence in the show in much more complex than that. Her independent and go-getter ways have set an example for "Gossip Girl" fans since the show started and has not ended even years after the show ended. Blair never needed another person to define who she was and she certainly didn’t need a man to do that for her. When she envisioned a goal, she sought after it, and took it. This is why Blair’s demeanor encompasses strong women like her.

Keep Reading...Show less

blair waldorf

Recommended for you

To The Mental Illness That Doesn't Take A Summer Vacation

It may be getting warmer and the sun may be shining, but that doesn't mean that your soul is.

But, just because you are struggling right now, that does not mean that you are failing.

It may be getting warmer and the sun may be shining, but that doesn't mean that your soul is. And that's also okay.

Use the summertime to help yourself. You've deserved it for feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

It's Been a Long Winter Break

Making the world safer through language.

1. Use singular they for people whose pronouns you don't know, people who use those pronouns, and stop using him/her.

2. Stop using the words "opposite sex" or "both sexes" or "opposite gender" or "both genders".

3. Ask people's pronouns when you meet them.

4. Use the word cisgender.

5. Stop saying "born a boy/girl" about a transgender or non-binary person.

6. Stop using the term 'preferred pronouns'.

7. Stop using a transgender or non-binary person's dead name.

Queen B sums it up for us.

Sometimes, we just can't help the feelings we have

1. Wow. My voice sounds amazing with this song.

2. Okay, if you can't sing, don't do it.

3. But wait, I don't think I can be friends with someone who isn't going to jam out in the car with me.

4. Dance part in the car! Even when I'm alone. Because every song is my favorite.

5. Stop light. Act calm. Be cool.

6. Yes! Green light! Back at it!

7. I don't know this song, but I'm going to sing along anyway.

8. Why am I not famous yet?

9. Being next to someone who can't sing so you feel good about yourself because you rock!

10. OK, I'm so good. I need to sing louder so I can help these people out.

11. My voice doesn't reach some of those notes, maybe I should sit this one out.

12. Randomly bursting out in song and getting weird looks because of it.

13. God, thank you so much for giving me a good voice.

14. Man, I feel bad for people who can't sing.

15. Was I just humming? Did they hear me?

16. Having dance moves to go along with most songs.

17. Not being able to stop yourself at correcting people when they mess up.

18. Maybe I should post myself singing.

19. Nah, can't do it. Dumb idea.

20. Having my own personal concert in the shower. Every single time.

Normal people wouldn't understand

1. Having time to nap between classes or at all.

2. Waking up 10 minutes before your class starts and making it there in time.

3. Making it to class in general

4. Only having to hit the snooze button three times.

5. When you didn't do the homework and the teacher decides not to collect it for that day.

6. Getting that "I'm sorry, but class is cancelled" email.

7. Finding a quiet seat in the library.

8. Actually enjoying a class and understanding all of the material.

9. Having a friend to eat lunch with.

10. Finishing an assignment before the due date.

11. When there is free food on campus.

Trending Topics

Top Creators

Trending Stories

Best of Health and Wellness

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments

Subscribe to our
Newsletter