One day: One smile
So I’ve been a little quiet over the past fortnight – I know, not cool. I don’t really have much of an excuse except that life got in the way. The past couple of weeks have been pretty hectic, with a lot of ups and a few more downs and saw me go into a funky little headspace that wasn’t the most pleasant. During this time I spent a lot of time thinking, and thinking some more, before realising that thinking wasn’t going to get my anywhere and I had to start acting; at the end of the day I was the only person who could change what was going on in my head. And so, after spending most of the last long weekend working my butt off to get out of my little funk and find my more positive and productive self, I emerged a new person (well the same person just Jodi 2.0 + a whole new level of energy…if that’s even possible). Over that weekend I shut myself out of the world of social media – because let’s face it, they can be pretty negative and toxic places – and with all my free time that I would usually waste scrolling through social media feeds I read a number of books, started planning some exciting new projects, learnt a lot about myself and realised there were parts of me I needed to change.
One thing I did learn, or at least remind myself of, is that life is far too short to be anything but happy. Having seen so many young people lose their lives lately, it really hit home with how short life really is and you never know when your time is up. Which is why I cannot express how important it is to just do the things you want to do, never go to bed angry, tell the people you love and care about how you feel, apologise when you’re wrong and never stop living life…like really living it. Whilst we are all striving to make our mark on the world by building an amazing career and/or successful business, none of the best moments of your life will be spent in front of a screen. So go out and have fun, see the world, love hard and never stop living…even for a second.
An article I read online a couple of days ago, really exaggerated these points for me and really made me think (something I clearly do a lot of). A specialist that I saw twice last year had killed himself in his office in Brisbane a few weeks earlier. He had battled depression and like many other people who have been in that same fight, decided to end his life. He was a really lovely man, happily married, had a family and a successful career – everything you think would make you happy. But just because someone appears happy, doesn’t always mean they are. Depression and anxiety affects over 3 million Australians with only 35% reaching out for treatment. I’m willing to bet you know at least 2 or 3 of these people who are battling in the dark, but you have no idea of what they are going through. On average, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 8 men will experience some level of depression; so next time you are with a group or friends or with your family, have a look around and consider asking the question ‘R U OK?’. It can’t hurt, can it?
Figures like this is why it is so important to always be kind no matter what you are going through (something I need to practice myself), and this is why I enjoy spreading little love notes around for strangers to find. Whilst I’m not saying I’m saving lives or beating depression out of people, I am hoping that I can brighten someone’s day just a little bit and maybe put a little more skip back in their step. If I can achieve one smile a day, my job is done.
Love from J x
P.S Happy Mother’s Day to all you amazing mums (and mums-to-be) out there.
