Being vulnerable can be scary, but it can also be helpful for yourself and others. As a senior in college, it’s so important to notice how your mental health is doing, especially during the pandemic. For a while, I allowed thoughts of uncertainty to reflect a reality that didn’t support my sense of self-worth. I knew I had to work on self-love and confidence but I didn’t know where to start. However, once I began spending more time on myself, I noticed so many changes. Here’s what I’ve learned:
#1: You have to want to put in the work.
When you’re not feeling your best, it can be easy to abandon your hobbies or even avoid daily activities. Working on your mental health is probably the last thing on your mind. But right now, you need to remember you only have yourself in this lifetime. Therefore, you should make working on yourself an ongoing priority. Simple ways to put in the work include daily affirmations, morning smoothies, journaling, meditations, morning/night 10-minute yoga, and (my favorite) a nighttime book. These are all basic habits that helped me start putting myself first. However, they won’t work for you unless you are willing to try.
#2: Healing is a critical part of the process.
Through healing, you can learn a lot about yourself. You don’t have to be spiritual or religious to know that healing is a crucial part of life. The frequency at which your energy vibrates attracts similar frequencies on the same wavelength. That’s why you should start working on those high vibes. In order to do so, I’ve been listening to high-frequency music and Reiki healing music, along with healing frequencies. There are plenty of frequency-lifting playlists, meditations, and music on Spotify, YouTube, and other platforms. The point is to start healing from the inside out. I created this feel-good playlist on Spotify if you’re interested.
#3: You’ll discover new parts of yourself.
By putting in the work and beginning to heal, you’ll be on the path to self-discovery. Right now is the best time to try out new hobbies or activities you’ve put aside. For my new random hobby, I started watching Cobra Kai and learning karate from YouTube, apart from listening to new music and journaling more. By trying new things, you open yourself up to more healing and excitement. Try writing down intentions for yourself and your life and what you can do to get there.
#4: Lastly, you need to check in with yourself.
It’s so important to check in with yourself and keep a journal for your feelings. Remind yourself how far you’ve come, whether in mental health, in school, or in any other area. Keep moving forward and being kind to yourself, to your mind, to your body, and to your soul. Listening to both your heart and mind will allow your self-worth to keep growing.
For those struggling, there are tons of mental health resources on the University Health Services website.