We see them on TV, watch them perform live, and circle the in and out-trends of our lives around them. These fashionable trendsetters have been poised to pose such a high influence on our day-to-day lives. They are put on a pedestal so high up it's sometimes hard to forget that they too are human, and they too suffer through mental health struggles, similar to you. This shouldn’t be discouraging or aiming to taint the reputation of these celebrities. This message is meant to lift you as you hear about the mental health journey of those who seem so distant from your own life. They say never meet your heroes, but ultimately, they are heroes for a reason.
Queen Bey’s Insight
The queen of hip hop and music who has taken the world by storm on multiple accounts has recently given a glimpse behind the glamour and into her mental health. Beyoncé is notorious for her grand efforts in concerts and her talented craftsmanship with the art of music, but let's look at what mental blocks built her journey. The star shared that, “mental health is self-care too. I'm learning to break the cycle of poor health and neglect, focusing my energy on my body and taking note of the subtle signs that it gives me. Your body tells you everything you need to know, but I've had to learn to listen." (Sager, 2021). Her new music has made a resistance emerge in the world of sound, yet she does think that taking a step back and enjoying one's hard work is all part of the process. This poses as a reminder that you too should not dwell on your mistakes or the past, you also shouldn't overwork yourself. Breaks are what make us more productive and keep us still and in the moment. If you aren’t taking moments to enjoy your hard work, what is that work worth in the long run? She also mentioned, "I think like many women, I have felt the pressure of being the backbone of my family and my company and didn't realize how much that takes a toll on my mental and physical well-being. I have not always made myself a priority," (Sager, 2021). It's hard to lose sight of ourselves when fighting for a greater cause or working towards a greater effort, yet by taking breaks and reflecting, it's easy to remember who is your priority. If a plane were going down you would need to put on your oxygen mask before anyone else, this way you are alert enough to help those around you when the time comes. The same goes for mental health. If you are alert and ready to help others, you must put time and effort into caring for yourself first. To be the best version of yourself, you need to love the worst version of yourself first.
How Does This Affect You?
Most of us are not familiar with the pressure and glamour of show business, yet the ideals and values are all the same no matter where you look. Beyoncé has practiced and worked her whole life to stand in the spotlight, and she too had lost sight of her mental health. It's okay to slip up and forget to stop and take care of yourself, but it should never be prolonged. The more you put off caring for yourself, the more you slip into a darker path or harsh mentalities. That being said, I’m pretty sure you won’t be running into the queen bee herself when on your walks, but you can keep her mentality in mind when you find yourself wanting to improve.
References
Sager, J. (2021, August 11). What Beyoncé learned when she stopped being 'Overly conscious' of her body. Shape. https://www.shape.com/celebrities/news/beyonce-mental-health-harpers-bazaar#:~:t
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