We need to normalize a lot of things but here are some personal things I’ve always struggled with. But before I do, I’m going to remind you how I identify as a human being. I’m South Korean and currently living in the States. I’m straight. I identify as a man. Now let’s get into it.
1) We need to normalize therapy. It’s not for the “crazy” people. It’s not for the weak. It’s for anyone that needs to process their thoughts with someone else. It’s to help you think about things in different ways.
2) We need to normalize emotions and feelings. As a man, I was taught to not really deal with them. You’ve heard this narrative hundreds of times. Every single person experiences emotions and feelings. Some keep you trapped in a room, others let you liberate yourself. It’s okay. We just need to make sure everyone else gets it’s okay to feel some kind of way.
3) We need to normalize mental health. Saying “I’m so depressed” or “they’re so bipolar” or “I’m like having a panic attack I’m so nervous about it” or “I’m so depressed I can’t” without actually having legitimate feelings and experiences is toxic. Yep. It’s toxic. As someone who suffers from anxiety and depression, I don’t find it comforting to hear you try to resonate with me. I sure don’t find it funny to hear you throw around the fact that you might be depressed as a joke. Or saying I’m gonna kill myself as a joke. It’s just not funny.
4) We need to normalize self-care. If I want to do nothing all day and stay in bed, I don’t need to feel bad that I didn’t do anything if it helped me to feel more grounded. On a more materialistic basis, we need to normalize taking care of our bodies. Regardless of gender and sexual identities. If you like getting your nails done, do it. If you like good skin, take care of it. We can’t idolize social media for their constructs and false advertising. But we can love ourselves a bit more.
5) We need to normalize voting in this god damn country. I’m not 100% sure how much my vote matters but it matters at some capacity. So go vote. Please vote. Participate as a citizen.
If you read everything until here, thank you. Thank you for your love and support these past years. ❤️
