Tag: social media

Depression and Weight Gain

I was listening to a Podcast on TedTalks over authenticity. Allowing yourself to be creative rather than attempting to get a higher number of “followers” on social media.

Do you feel as though there is a thin line between the two? Is it possible to seek a lot of followers and also remain authentic?

 

Times have changed and as technology grabs ahold of us and our younger generation, we seem to hop on social media to see how much attention we can grab. But at what point does it change for us OR change us?

 

A while back, I had discussed with a good friend about my dreams of blogging. I explained my fears and that I also felt I had a lot of wisdom to offer others. Although I am still in my 20’s, it seems as though I have gone through more than what the average adult typically does, and that’s OKAY as long as I am using my experiences to better my future.

 

So, let’s get to the topic of discussion for today— DEPRESSION AND WEIGHT GAIN

The daunting words no one ever wants to discuss due to being afraid of getting labeled. And let’s keep it real everyone, once we are labeled as “something” it’s difficult to really not view a person for that any longer. I never struggled with depression until I hit my late 20’s and I felt that something I should have easily accomplished I miserably failed at.

It was a hard pill to swallow and a realization I was not ready to face. I had my 3rddaughter in April of 2019 and almost went down to my “pre-baby” weight soon after. It was in a very UNHEALTHY way as I was struggling with life’s normal curveballs and trying not to have a mental breakdown in nursing school.

After failing my state licensing exam, I cried for almost 3 weeks straight. The idea of doing anything else outside of studying was beyond comprehension. I beat myself up (which I explain in my prior blog post “failing the nclex”) and suddenly felt depression hit me even though I was not willing to recognize it.

When we’re in nursing school we are given all these books over mental health issues. We got out and complete clinical rotations on assessments of patients that may have some mental illness. After gathering all data and implementing a nursing diagnosis, we move onto our next patient. It’s all quite different when it hits you and it hits your home. I suddenly felt that I was not myself. No longer wanting to go to events or even THINK about gathering with all my classmates that had already passed their NCLEX.

 

I stayed clear and I avoided most group chat messages. My husband that loves me dearly would try to console me. Little did I know I was affecting my household with my aura. I ate so much that I ended gaining a good 20lbs. Fearful of what the number on the scale would be, I just avoided it. Reality check for me was when I tried to fit into my favorite blue jeans and I looked down, noticing that I was getting a hole between my thighs from the constant rubbing.

 

Unable to register what was really occurring, I did the best I could to manage. I didn’t’ want to be someone on medication. Who wants to come out and openly admit that they have depression issues and they need help? I sound crazy, right? Being a medical professional myself, I am unable to voice my own concerns.

What did it take? One morning I woke up; looking in the mirror I felt so disgusted with myself. Not just the physical guys, but the internal as well. I strayed from Jesus, I was gaining weight, keeping my pain internal. I knew something had to change. You know what I noticed? I realized I was being the SAME as all these other individuals that HIDE their emotions & only show their “picture perfect” lives. I lost my authenticity. We’re human, we will all struggle; How can I retrieve my authenticity if I am unwilling to open up what I am withholding internally?

 

  1. I chose myself. Making a commitment to be present for myself every day.
  2. Re-evaluated some areas and made sure that I was bringing to LIGHT my inadequacies.
  3. Recognized that the NCLEX is just another test that I WILL pass when MY TIME comes; This test does not determine my level of PASSION for this profession.
  4. I consciously have made a decision to improve my health and speak UP if I need help.
  5. Understand that PRIDE can also be a factor that keeps us at a standstill.
  6. Bring to the surface that darkness I was feeling so I could learn how to tackle this beast with family & friend support.

 

Ladies and Gents, it is hard as hell. BUT it is worth it. Make a commitment to be present for yourself EVERY DAY. Bring to light your internal pain so others can help you GROW through it. Be a voice, so others can see that IT’S OKAY to go through these waves as well and speak about it. Speaking up, using your voice, can save lives.

 

Until Next time, guys.

 

B.Settegast

 

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10

 

 

 

Putting away my smartphone, you should too!

Happy MONDAY! Which happens to be the busiest day of the week for everyone. Back to my topic! 

Interestingly enough, this thought has lingered in my mind for quite some time now:

“What would it be like to completely remove my smartphone from my daily routine?” 

I think it’s an idea for all of us to instantly pick up our cellphones as soon as our day begins. Most of us have our alarm clocks on our cellphones. What ever happened to regular alarm clocks we have to plug into our walls and smack the button to turn it off?- I honestly can’t remember the last time I owned one. We’re all so consumed with our cellphones, after all, they are supposed to make our lives easier, right? 

Do you think you’re using your time as productively as you could be?

Do you feel disciplined enough to not have to put up your smartphone and still manage to have high productivity levels on a regular basis? 

I was listening to a podcast from “Hidden Brain”, Topic: Hidden Work. The special guest on there was basically discussing how he is able to produce high productivity levels on a regular basis once he learned to “give time” to his cellphone rather than his cellphone consuming most of his time. Not consistently looking at your phone at the notifications that pop up or you becoming distracted from your daily work because you decide to scroll through social media. There was a specific article that discusses how much information we actually DO NOT retain when we are studying once we get distracted by an email, text message, or social media. In fact, we end up realizing that we’ve scrolled or are on there for a longer period than we initially planned —-that’s definitely resonates with me. 

Can you think back on the days when you didn’t have a cellphone?

What was your life like?

I’m curious! We’ve been pushed into a world where face-to-face interaction doesn’t often occur. As a matter of fact, most of us can quickly send an email, text, DM on social media and bam, who has to see THAT persons face and deal with the aftermath right then and there? NOT ME! 

But don’t you miss it? Don’t you miss getting out and searching for a new place to eat without having to pull out your cellphone to find the next place to go? Don’t you miss meaningful conversations face to face with people? I have a friend that made a rule for us a long time ago. That if we were to meet up, we had to focus on our conversations and not pick up our cellphones to look at who’s trying to contact us. Give someone your undivided attention! —-I must say I absolutely sucked at it for the first few months. I kept apologizing and explaining how I “needed” to get that message. After a while I realized that my friend legitimately felt that I was not “there” because my mind was also focused elsewhere. 

Fast forward a few years now and Let’s just say your girl has it down. Meaningful conversations with your loved ones you don’t see often, “check”, I got my cellphone put away. But why can’t we apply this rule to our daily lives? How about we put our cellphones down at an event we don’t know ANYONE at and face the music to socialize with others rather than scrolling through social media? —I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve done this little trick. “Scroll scroll scroll, oooo when is such and such gonna show up so I can ACTUALLY lift my head up and start looking around?!” Definitely makes me feel like I’m lacking in my social skills FOR SURE. 

SO I’ve made a decision:

  1. Use my cellphone to speak to people that I need to have a conversation with on a regular basis (such as my husband) and have my phone available Incase my children’s schools contacts me for anything. 
  2. Put my phone far enough away from me where my notifications are turned off, but my ringer is on in case of an emergency. (You’d be surprised at how much my phone doesn’t ring at all because most people nowadays prefer texting) so truthfully I feel I don’t have anything to worry about in that area.
  3. Pick up my laptop and use it to post my daily blogs and check my email, then turn it off once I’m done. All my study material I’m currently using are books that I have in hand so no need to have my iPad, laptop, or cellphone open for that dedicated time. 

With just these few simple steps for the next week (as an experiment) I plan on having higher productivity levels as I sometimes find myself consumed in my smartphone. I’m hoping for more meaningful conversation with individuals, especially when I run into someone and can’t say “oh I totally saw that pic on social media! Such a cute idea/outfit!” I can get my dad to stop saying he finds it funny to walk by Scott and I and see both of us on our cellphones. If adjustments are needed to be made within those steps I’ve written to produce better results then I will tweak them in a week! I’ll give my feedback of a “before and after” in hopes that you decide to take small step into a less complicated daily approach( which can also lower your anxiety levels btw) 

Thanks again for dropping by! Drop a line and let me know your thoughts! I’m absolutely interested whether you’ve done this before! 

Until next week, guys!