Erikka, here –  the Founder and Editor in Chief of Strut in HER Shoes. We proudly serve as the elevator of mindful conversation. And one we’ll never shy away from is mental health or self-care. 

MY TRUTH:

I know firsthand how important it is to take care of your mental health after battling sporadic depressive episodes for the past 13 years. However, it was until the past 3 years – when suicidal thoughts began to creep in during the darkest moments – that I began to take things a bit more seriously. 

Girl, that was the scariest thing I had ever experienced. 

I’m grateful I had friends that noticed I wasn’t okay – that checked in, called if I didn’t respond to a text, or popped up at my house if I didn’t answer for long periods of time. But the real light didn’t shine until I took charge of my mental health. 

Of course, I signed up for therapy immediately. But I also began to do things for myself more frequently. 

See, I’m the type of person that will put other needs ( and honestly, wants) before my own without even considering how I would be affected. And that ain’t right. I grew up thinking “being selfish” was always bad. However, as a 32-year-old adult-ish woman – I learned that being selfish (sometimes) is a boundary – that you must set.

So, yes, in an effort to take charge of my mental  – I became a little selfish. Selfish with my time. Selfish with my “yes.” Selfish with my energy. 

As we enter into March – I challenge you to do the same – get a little selfish – especially with your time. My team and I will be doing a 7 – day “Mental Madness” Self-Care Challenge starting March 7, and we invite you to join us! Every day in the morning and in the evening – we will perform a self-care activity. Could be as simple as treating yourself to Starbucks, playing your favorite playlist, journaling, or even stretching. Whatever makes you happy, do it.

All you have to do is text ‘strut’ to 833-936-3271 to join the challenge, and we will send you a link to the Mental Madness Self-Care Bracket. Fill out the bracket daily with your self-care activities! 

… And if you so desire, share it with us on social media so we can hold each other accountable.