Behind the Smile
A moment of reflection to mark World Mental Health Day.
Yesterday was World Mental Health day.
To mark that day, I posted on social media the photo below of me smiling.
But I shared that, behind that smile, I was having a rough day. I’d been battling a lot of anxiety and depression that week.
It’s a bit ironic because the photo I shared is one of my very favourites from recent weeks. I like it so much that I will probably use it in marketing materials!
But that just serves as proof that mental health issues are rarely visible.
We like to think we can tell how people are feeling based on how they look and act – maybe we think we can detect something from someone’s expression, the look in their eyes, their gait – but that’s rarely accurate. Appearances certainly don’t tell the whole story.
I often worry that, because of the work I do and advice I share, people assume that I don’t get down or have bad days or sometimes deal with things like anxiety and depression. The truth is that I can’t imagine feeling that I’d be in any position to do what I do, if I DIDN’T encounter those struggles. Imagine never feeling down or overwhelmed or anxious and then creating a whole business around helping people navigate those situations? The idea is preposterous.
I’m grateful to my struggles.
As much as tough days are, well, tough, I am grateful to them because they allow me to grow and learn. This is not to say that I believe in struggling for the sake of struggling. No. I am a FIRM believer in doing what needs to be done to help yourself feel better: going for a walk, talking to a friend, seeking professional help, whatever you need. But I also believe that growth happens through our difficulties or our discomfort.
I am grateful to my personal struggles for another reason: They allow me to do the work I do. Without them, there would be no depth to my understanding and, perhaps most importantly, I’d have no empathy for the people I work with. As I learn tools and gain insights from dealing with my own struggles, I can then share those to help others navigate theirs – not from a place of perfection, but from a place of compassionate confidence.
As someone who works with leaders and teams on professional development and workplace well-being, I’ve found that having a grasp on one’s mental health is a key part of success and effectiveness in any environment.
That’s why it’s so important that we talk about mental health.
When we share our experiences, we remind ourselves and others that we’re not alone. Mental health struggles aren’t something to face in silence or isolation. The more we have these conversations, the more we normalize them and create spaces where it’s safe to be real about what we’re going through.
And that’s where true support begins – in the openness and connection we offer one another.
On World Mental Health Day, and every day, let’s continue to talk and to listen – really listen – to one another. By doing so, we contribute to a culture of openness, support, and understanding and can effect real change in the world.
I’m always here if you need someone to talk to or listen.
With compassion,
Stephanie Edward
Helping corporate leaders and their people balance high achievement with well-being.
Podcast
In case you missed it, episode 2 of my new podcast - The Compassionate Confidence Podcast - is now available! If you haven’t listened to it yet, check it out. It is currently available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Upcoming Events
At the end of October, I will be leading a public workshop called Thriving Under Pressure! In this engaging workshop, participants will explore powerful strategies for transforming pressure into resilience and inner strength.
This workshop will be hybrid: in-person, at the Yogashala Wellness Centre in Waterdown, Ontario and online, via Zoom. Click the following links to register or learn more!
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Curious about how Compassionate Confidence can help you or your team thrive? I can help you learn how to crush it without crushing themselves!
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No pressure, just a meaningful conversation.