Kesha shares honest note on balancing mental health and holiday joy
Kesha has shared a heartfelt, personal entry on Time.com that explores the intersection of personal health and holiday joy. In her essay, she highlights the importance of self-love and taking time for yourself.
“It’s not your responsibility to try to make the whole world happy. Especially since sometimes it’s not that easy to make yourself happy, either—even with all the celebrations and gifts and seasonal decorations, foods and drinks, which can only do so much,” Kesha writes.
Read more: Kesha goes grunge: 9 reasons the pop star rocks more than you might realize
With the holidays comes a change in routine, and with a change in routine, it can mess with your mental health. Sometimes it’s because you’re “forced to spend time with family you rarely see and don’t get along with,” or maybe you’re “alone when everyone else is with family.” And that can shake you.
“When you have a routine, it’s easier to manage whatever mental struggles you may be faced with, and when that routine is broken, it can trigger things you may not be ready to face,” Kesha writes.
“Around the holidays, I often feel like I’m supposed to be everywhere, with everyone—all with the added guilt that it’s the season of giving. To fight this, I’ve developed a mantra: It’s not selfish to take time for yourself.”
And in taking time for yourself, you’re realizing that even with all the celebration and goodies (decorations and food included!), it can only do so much. Her message is filled with the overarching theme of resisting the urge to build up the season to more than it really is. As she writes: “Most importantly, just remember to give yourself a break!”
Read her heartfelt letter in full here.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental illness, there is help to be found. Please consider these online resources and talk to your regular doctor about your symptoms:
MentalHealth.gov – Get Immediate Help
ImAlive – Online Crisis Network
International Association For Suicide Prevention – Resources
The Anxiety And Depression Association Of America
The National Alliance On Mental Illness
American Psychiatric Association – Finding Help
National Institute Of Mental Health
American Psychological Association – Psychologist locator
