Mental wellness is a topic that often gets ignored. As a culture we are quick to speak of the importance of our physical health, but when it comes to our mental state, as a collective, we have given it a back burner to everything else. This realization is unfortunate because depression is the most common mental health phenomenon affecting the post-industrial world. 

This January, my friend and I decided that this year would be the year that we finally make taking care of ourselves a priority. We chose themes for each month, wrote about our intentions, and scheduled daily activities that we could do to pamper ourselves in small ways. I was thrilled. I thought I was in for a whole year of manicures, massages and mimosas. I was wrong.

Two months. It’s been two months since I’ve graduated college. Even though this was a huge milestone, my mind was fixated on what I hadn’t accomplished. Senior year came with many anxieties and securing a job before graduation day was my biggest concern. Time had passed, and graduation had come and gone. However, there I was, unemployed and living at home. My goals seemed sidetracked and my dream remained pinned to a vision board.

Negative thoughts and emotions are something that many of us grapple with. At times, it can seem as if our minds are in a constant state of anxiety and worry. The energy we put into these thoughts push us to view our lives through a lens that can often hinder our ability to grow, learn, and generally see the brighter side of things. We get so used to these thought patterns that we forget what it feels like to experience positive thinking and the wonderful effects it has on our brains.

There is no typical day in the life of a New York City social worker, but we're lucky enough to have SBG Friend, Janelle Corrie, share the emotional highs and lows of her day with us. 

The most neglected and ignored aspect of our self-care practices is preserving our space, keeping it sacred and eliminating toxicity. When you think of self-care, candles, yoga, and quiet time, these might be a few of the things that come to mind.