STAY HUMBLE. STAY KIND... STAY MINDFUL

For National Suicide Prevention Week

This week we raise awareness for those associated with self-harm, depression, and attempted/successful suicide attempt.

At the risk of sounding corny, you guys should all know that you matter. I may not know a lot of you individually, but I know that you have something special inside of you that no one else does.

Trust me, we all do.

So you don’t think i’m shooting arrows on a bow I haven’t strung, you should know that i’ve been there.

Throughout most of high school I dealt with a great amount of stress, and unnecessary pressure that led me towards what they call, “the deep end”. I didn’t bite the dust as hard, as others, but I will tell you this much. Every day that I woke up during my senior year, I thought would be my last and treated it as such. Some days were better than others of course, but I was sure that my life was meaningless, and so was I.

Well, I’m here to tell you that’s not true. I could sit here and unfold my whole healing process that got me to the place that I am, but for now I want to talk to you guys about something that really helps me, even now when I feel lost.

Nobody can determine your worth; only you can. Those voices inside, or outside your head telling you that it won’t get better, and you’ll never be enough. They’re wrong. But, you’ve heard that a hundred times, right? How many times does it actually resonate? Probably never if you feel like I did. So, let’s go a little deeper.

Why do you feel this way? What is so awful about yourself that you don’t deserve to live? Who told you these things? How do you think they feel about themselves, if their only goal is to tear you down? You see, everything goes a little deeper than the surface. Not only our feelings, and actions, but those of others too. If your feelings are because of something someone else tells you, ask yourself why, and keep your questions rational, and about the other person/thing. Some that i’ve used are:

- Why do they say things that hurt people?

- Why do they feel so angry?

- Did someone do the same to them?

If it is of your own doing, in your own mind, you might try these:

-Why am I saying this to myself?

-What are my strengths, v.s. my weaknesses? What can I work on? (I make lists and cross them off as I go, if that works for you)

-How can I positively change this thought?

This is called mindfulness. It sounds difficult, but only at first, I swear. We’re creatures strung by habit, so the more you practice it, the easier it becomes. Having an open mind is one of the most liberating things you can own. The stronger you build your insight, the stronger you feel mentally to judge, and rationalize situations. If you give yourself the chance, you’ll not only find yourself stronger in front of others, but within yourself. In fact, the majority of negative thought is rooted within our own judgement of ourselves, not that created by others.

I promise if you take it a step at a time, and put that energy you use to put yourself down, into using this method, you’ll find yourself on a rational road wondering why you every put someone else’s opinions before your truth. No matter what place you are at in your life, you matter. Don’t let anyone, not even your irrational thoughts on your darkest days, make you think otherwise.

My Email: Jackiemariearts@gmail.com

Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255, and it’s available 24 hours a day!

Peace, love, and my mailbox is always open to someone who needs a friend <3

Jackie Marie xoxo