chrzkat

[chrzkat]

The State of My Mental Health: Resilience Amidst Storms

"How are you?" "Are you alright?" questions that, to some, carry the weight of care and concern. Yet, to many, these words can trigger an avalanche of emotions, a reminder of the fragility of our inner selves. For me, they echo as a testament to the unspoken weariness that resides within, a silent struggle often hidden beneath a facade of normalcy.

I perceive life as an endless battlefield where people struggle to survive challenges everyday. Each person treads their own path, battling silent wars, and I've found myself entrenched in my share of struggles. There have been moments when the weight of circumstances seemed insurmountable, leaving me questioning my ability to persevere.

One problem after another comes; either in family, school, and work. Recently, I came home late at night as usual, carrying the weight of responsibilities from school and work. All of a sudden, tears streamed down my cheeks, seemingly without cause. However, as I reflect on what happened that day and the past overwhelming days, I realized it was the culmination of exhaustion—exhaustion from striving endlessly to meet the expectations of others and the unrealistic standards I'd set for myself.

I once questioned myself, what purpose do I serve in life? Why am I even included to the persons who need to achieve something in life? Who am I without my achievements? Literally, just “living” made me question my worth in everyone’s life. I feel like I’m not doing something good because breathing is not enough, I feel the need to prove something even if it’s not asked or expected, thus I tried to search for something new that may fulfill those dissatisfaction I’m feeling; I got a job. I thought I could find contentment when I became independent financially, I guess I’m wrong.

Did you ever feel like everything you do is lacking? You tried new things but ended up not being satisfied with what you do. I guess we all have been in that phase where we don’t know what we want in life; the things we want to achieve, to prove just to be content with ourselves. Maybe we just need to take away all the pressure we give to ourselves and start focusing on what we really enjoy doing. Life is short but not too short to rush things in the sense of pressuring yourself into doing things beyond your control.

When I started working, I felt a little bit proud of myself; I bought things from my own pocket. However, it did not last as working full time while studying is too exhausting for me. Little did I know that it will also add up to my burdens and stress, as well as to the state of my well-being in general. The state of my physical health started to affect my mental health to the point that the tiredness I’m feeling can no longer be lessened by sleep or rest. I have days when sleep is not the only rest I need as it requires more than sleeping off the things in my head and heart.

Sometimes I wonder to myself, Is there a better future waiting for me? Will all the things I strive to do in this present life benefit me in the future? Are the burnouts, tears, breakdowns, sleepless nights, and exhaustion all worth it?

Infinite questions about life and existence are inevitable because as humans, it’s normal to feel sad sometimes, and it’s normal to question– to wonder because we all experience struggles, stress, and challenges in life. Are you really alive or a human if you did not experience struggling mentally? One just needs to stand strong and find something to cope up with all the stresses in life.

“Everyone has their own silent battles” voicing out your feelings is not easy as many think; you need all the courage you can gather in order to open up with someone. However, fighting a battle alone is harder than doing it with someone, you just need to choose a great companion that will help you win all your battles in life; no more silent battles.

To those people who remember to question my well-being despite their own struggles, may you receive all the goodness in life. Their questions of concern might not help, but knowing that I am seen and loved on a purpose is enough for someone struggling mentally and emotionally.

Thus, to anyone traversing the labyrinth of their own mental struggles, remember this: you are not defined by your doubts or your battles; you’re defined by your resilience, your ability to stand tall despite the storms.

Let us stand together, acknowledging our shared vulnerabilities and celebrating our resilience. For it's through our shared experiences that we weave the fabric of empathy and understanding in this complex tapestry of life.

"In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer." - Albert Camus

[chrzkat]

BLOG ENTRY #1 GEN Z: A PERSPECTIVE

Embark on a journey through Gen Z’s dynamic perspectives, experiences, passion, and rapid changes we are driving in today’s ever-evolving world; exploring the unique challenges in the lens of a Gen Z, on how we view this world. 

In a realm where the echoes of Gen Z's voices often fade into the background, their words deemed as mere whispers in the wind, this blog emerges as a beacon, illuminating the vibrant tapestry of our perspectives. Here, we invite other generations to step into the kaleidoscope of Gen Z's world, to grasp the vivid hues of our experiences and embrace the symphony of our evolving ideals.

What is really the behavior of our generation today? How they think and act in this judgemental society. When I was asked what I observe in this generation, the first thing that came into my mind is that Gen Z are awake, conscious, sensible– or in Gen Z terms, “woke”. Our generation is aware of the things happening in our surroundings, whether it may be political, social, mental, emotional. If a politician will try to win the mass over with flowery words, Gen Z is not one of the people who will be swayed for it, because we are critical thinkers, we’re not gullible and foolish. 

Bravery is a defining trait of our generation. We're unafraid to take a stand and advocate for change, participating in advocacies and activism. Based on experience, I often join rallies, not physically but virtually; lending my voice through social media, sharing the causes we’re fighting for.

Recently, I shared posts about the issue of the jeepney phaseout, how I am against it and the consequences the mass will face if that will be done. I also advocate for mental health, in this state where we are barely surviving our days, mental health is as important as physical health. The stigma in mental health is slowly lessening as our generation starts to open our eyes, emotions are now being validated and acknowledged, paving the way for a future where conversations about mental health are commonplace.

Gen Z likes to ask questions, we don’t settle for things the society is telling us to be right, we want to know why things are the way they are, such as the norms, beliefs, tradition, power dynamics. The truth is some traits, beliefs and practices are flawed that it is becoming toxic which will not contribute to our growth. One of the best examples is gender norms or even roles; these norms are telling us what should we act based on our gender, men should be masculine and show no emotion; they should be the ones working, women is feminine and submissive, nurturing; they should be the ones at home taking care of the laundry. 

What sets our generation apart is our fervent desire for change, not just for ourselves but for brighter futures and subsequent generations. We're breaking free from the cycle of toxicity, driven by the belief that flaws and sufferings can end with us. This mentality fuels our aspiration to become better leaders, parents, and individuals. We're committed to learning from the mistakes of past generations, working tirelessly to ensure that future generations don't endure the same violence, abuse, and traumas.

This generation is a dreamer, harboring grand aspirations and audacious visions for a world transformed. We understand that the future is not a fixed destination, but a canvas waiting for us to paint it with our ideals and innovations.

Lastly, this generation doesn’t rely on traditional role models, but instead, we learn from those whose paths we hope to avoid. We've seen the impact of hasty decisions and witnessed the toll it can take on individuals. Personally, I'm determined not to follow in the footsteps of acquaintances who acted without forethought. I'm currently witnessing the hardships they're enduring - struggling with the scarcity of food due to lack of financial capabilities.

Their experiences serve as stark reminders of the importance of making considered choices and planning for the future. It's a lesson in prudence, one that shapes my own approach to decision-making. I aim to be intentional in my actions, considering the potential consequences and striving for a future of stability and security.

In wrapping up this exploration into the heart of Gen Z, it's clear that our generation is no stranger to challenge, nor hesitant to face it head-on. We're a generation fueled by purpose, striving for a world where change isn't just a possibility, but an inevitability.

So, here's to the dreamers, the questioners, the change-makers - here's to Gen Z. Together, let's forge ahead, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, compassion, and boundless potential. Our journey is just beginning, and the future, bright with possibility, is ours to shape.