A post from our Contributor: Mental. And Manic
“Play it cool. Play it cool. Play it cool.”
“Nothing bothers you.”
“Everything is fine.”
(Narrator Voice) Everything was not fine.
How many times have you been in a social situation where you are trying to be so “normal” but everything in the world seems to be bogging you down? You zone out during conversations and tune back in when you realize you’ve been stressing about something else, and quickly toss out an engaging comment to make the other person feel like you’ve been listening this whole time.
How could everyone pretend like everything is okay when your world is crumbling around you? I guess we’ll just do the same?
The weight of the mask we wear is heavy, constantly trying to fit in without burdening anyone with our own mental health issues knowing that either a) they’re dealing with their own things or b) we don’t want to come across as too needy or mental or negative.
The truth is, taking off that mask can be scary. Being seen for the manic, mental, anxious, depressed, compulsive, attention deficit humans that we are is like…WOAH I’m too much. You are not too much. You are exactly who you are and authenticity is what brings people together and starts the conversation.
Being vulnerable is one of the most terrifying things we can be in this climate. You are not alone. Be brave. Lead by example. Start the conversation. Comment below if you’ve felt anything like this before. Take off the mask, you deserve to be seen.