Heart To Heart || Mental Health

I've been going back and forth on writing a post on mental health for the past year or so, but I thought I would speak up about it in hopes that someone will be able to resonate with me. I never realized the importance of mental health until I saw close people around me, public figures, and myself succumb to it.

I first struggled with depression when I was in middle school and didn't understand why I felt the way I did. My family had just moved to another house and it was supposed to be a fresh start. We had just built our dream home, but my life felt like it was crashing. It was difficult to adjust at a new school with no friends and I had also moved churches. Sometimes during lunch I would just go to the bathroom and sit there until lunch was over because I had no friends. I just wanted to be by myself and closed myself off from friends and family which made me feel worse. I was crying for help on the inside but didn't know how to tell my friends and family how I was feeling. I never felt so alone in my life. I was prescribed antidepressants which made me fall deeper into depression and led me to suicidal thoughts. I would cry myself to sleep and wonder what my purpose in life was. I had some good days, but it seemed like most days were unbearable.

I had friends and family that helped me through my depression, but I first had to learn to accept myself. I went through depression because I hated myself and only fed myself negative thoughts. I wasn't confident in who I was and always compared myself with others. I still have bad days because I'm only human. One thing I want to say is don't believe everything you see on social media. My life may seem amazing because of my material comforts and I travel often, but I still struggle with depression from time to time. It's true, we only show our best selves and hide our true selves most of the time. I for one can say that I only show the best version of myself. I'm realizing that it's ok to be raw sometimes and be vulnerable, because at the end of the day we all have emotions and it's ok. It's ok to ask for help. You are not alone. Don't compare yourself with whoever you see on social media, each person is blessed in different ways. 

I often wonder if I did decide to go through with it, how much I would've missed out on life. I never would've been able to travel with family and friends or realize how lucky I am to be surrounded by amazing people and have the life that I'm blessed with. One thing I learned is that we are all unique and created different and beautifully. Don't doubt yourself and what you're capable of!

One of my goals for this year is to be more loving, understanding, and patient. Also, I want to use my platform to voice my opinions on topics dear to my heart such as mental health. If you're struggling know that you're not alone and that you are loved.

Here are some links that I thought would be helpful or if you need someone to talk:
Suicide Prevention LineInternational Hotline





Love, Sharon

24 comments

  1. Thank you for sharing ❤️

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  2. Thanks for sharing! Also - you take the most gorgeous pictures. Keep doing you ❤️

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  3. This is really good. I hope you continue with what you are doing, and keep motivating me

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  4. THANKS BABE, YOU ARE MY ANGEL ��

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  5. Thank you for sharing this. Your posts are very inspiring and your photography is often a huge comfort for me to look at--it puts me at ease. I hope you always have love and support in your life. -Anne

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  6. This really resonated with me too dearest. And I'm so glad you're going to be sharing more about these kinds of topics because it's really true that social media can be so deceiving sometimes. We're only seeing the best versions of other people's lives and I still have to remember to not compare myself to that - especially when I'm down about my own image, body, self, family situation etc. Love you for this, and have always been in love with your beautiful content on Instagram. Thanks so much for sharing all of this Sharon! Stay strong and take care beautiful x

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    1. thank you juliet for reading and for the encouragement! yes, sadly social media can be so deceiving but luckily we can always learn to be content and grateful for what we have xx

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  7. Thank so so much for sharing this, it means a lot for people who have been through the same! Your content always makes me smile and I hope you will continue posting these beautiful things, you really have an eye for that!
    Also, I think that it's more than okay to show the side of yourself you like the most and it doesn't matter if that's the whole picture, because you're not the least bit obligated to post every single detail of your life.
    I think that sharing things the way you do encourages many people to focus on the positive things in life, however small they may be - at least that's how it works for me.
    All the best❤

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  8. Thank you for sharing! I can and feel that many others can relate as well. Comparing oneself to others is not good as I have realized and a waste of time since there is only one of us. I hope you have a better year and take care of yourself more.

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    1. :) yes - we are all made different for a reason <3

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  9. That's brave to share this :) I went through depression three times in my life and I remember those periods with a chill. I was just not myself, it's as if someone put a veil on my eyes and I couldn't see anymore what was beautiful in life. Nobody really helped me. My parents didn't know how to address the issue. But I got out of it, on my own, and each time it felt like I woke up, full of energy, from a long dream. Crazy sensation. Now I'm very, very careful about that : if I see a sign of depression in myself, I'll treat myself well, just be nice and compassionate with myself, just be patient. And as you say : do not compare yourself with other people. From what I read, you are on a good path. Sure some days will be more difficult than others, but knowing what you know, you won't let yourself fall into that pit again, and that's the most important thing there is : the will to be your true, happy self :)

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  10. Many people with mental health problems will often feel isolated and rejected and too afraid to share their problems with others purely because of the way they might be perceived. drinking problem

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  12. Girl, I really really admire your vulnerability. It's hard to open up about those thoughts, and even those haunting experiences. It hurts my heart that you went through that awful time where you hid in the bathroom, but how encouraging it is to see how you persevered and came out on the other side better than before.

    You're also right about social media. I compare myself to others often, but you're right, we all got our own battles and not everything is all sunshine & daisies. It's not best to compare our realness with someone's highlight reel.

    Thanks for your honesty, I'm sure it will help so many women. It sure has helped me! I hope you have an amazing day <3

    Ashley | thehoneyscoop.com

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