Survival of the Fittest - 2020 Edition
Hello family! It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to post a blog on here but thanks for your patience. The topic today is based on my personal experiences and thoughts over the past two weeks that I thought would relate to many people. This year has carried so much uncertainty and negativity whether it’s social justice issues, the pandemic, or personal matters which led to me often asking myself “Am I really happy?” Since being quarantined, I’ve had time to reflect on this question and developed a honest response on my current state.
Am I really happy? - Honest answer is no. I’m not happy with how the society is moving and responding to my black community. It would be selfish of me to say that I am happy when there are so many things going on in the society that I wish I could help change. How can I be happy when I’m still judged by the color of my skin or my intelligence in the corporate world is questioned on a daily basis? Despite these lingering issues that have been a frequent battle well before I was born, I’ve learned to use the time to invest in myself. I’ve learned to improve my mental state whether it’s driving to Galveston on the weekends to meditate and do yoga, listen to music, start a new hobby, etc. in order to make it day by day. I don’t consider it happiness, I consider it survival. This is not to say that I am not the usual joyful person before the pandemic, it just shows that I’ve developed the skill and found ways to help keep me mentally sane through this challenging time that has impacted all of us.
My question to you is, Are you really happy? If, not what are you doing about it? We often hear our parents or older family members state “just pray and everything will be alright” but sometimes prayer is not enough. It is the actions and consistent effort that you have to put forth everyday to make sure that you are maintaining your mental health. Whether it’s doing yoga, meditating, reading, exercising, etc. it is up to you to determine what will help you. So please take some time to reassess how you are currently feeling in life and make the necessary adjustments to help get you through this pandemic. Just know that you are not alone and, like myself, you will SURVIVE no matter what happens.
Check out eventbrite and other sources in the Houston area for activities that can help boost your mental health:
https://www.eventbrite.com/d/online/houston/
