“Why aren’t you on social media that much anymore?” friends and colleagues now ask me.
“Mental health,” I reply.
They instantly get it.
Prior to 2017, I used to throw around the words “mental health” as a respectful yet passive casual catchphrase about self-care and self-worth, particularly for us moms who were overrun with trite errands, scattered responsibilities, or lack of time to squeeze in all the things on our lists. Mental health used to be funny memes and Facebook updates about escaping to Target or the beach for a few hours without kids. Mental health has now become a top-tier, personal weekly priority that precedes pretty much all else in my house.
Blame COVID-19
These guidelines were personally created and developed for one sole purpose: MY HEALTH
For my family, for my day-to-day ability to function, raise kids, and live a contented life — because I love and care about myself.
We’ve read the science and research: Scrolling ignites “reactionary poison” in our brains and is simultaneously addictive. Not. Good. For. Mental. Health. SO STOP IT. (Or, at least give ourselves a gift of recovery days each week.)
Every day, every week, every month, every decision, every change, every loss is now an uphill battle to fight for our own mental health — individually and collectively.
Yes, my rules might seem silly given how much our connectivity, livelihoods, news, and information revolve around social media, but very few things are more important to any given family than a mother’s health. Think about it.
Now make yourself ignore Facebook for 30 minutes.
