Mental health has always been something very dear to my heart, both trying to take care of others and being aware of my own.
Since 2020 and the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve all dealt with some level of stress and anxiety. For some, it wasn’t that bad. For others, it was a nightmare. As different as we all have experienced it, we have all dealt with it in very different ways.
For some of us at The Community Journal, 2022 has been particularly hard for both similar and radically different reasons.
I take pride in being the very first one to hold out a hand and say “Let’s talk.” My natural ability to relate and undestand once had me consider a career in psychology after high school. Obviously, life took a far different path for me. It led me here and I’m grateful for that.
While I am particularly good at helping others, I am equally as good at putting off and ignoring my own mental health. I feel like I am a burden to others. I feel like my problems aren’t really that big of a deal and shouldn’t be focused on.
I was talking to a co-worker last night, someone whom I’d call a friend despite the short amount of time we’ve known each other. I took a few minutes simply to unload all of the anxiety that has been weighing me down lately. It didn’t by any means make it go away, but it got it off of my chest.
I don’t say all of this to gain any sort of pity or anything like that. Like I said, we are all experiencing some level of stress and anxiety. Instead, I hope to start a conversation. I hope to normalize talking about what you’re feeling.
If you’re going through something, don’t be afraid to reach out. It doesn’t matter what it is nor how small and petty you think is, don’t let that stuff sit on your mind and heart. We collectively have amazing things to achieve on this Earth, but we can’t do that if we’re being held back by the things that weigh us down.
Let your family and friends be there for you. If you ever need it, The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is one phone call away by just dialing 988.
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It’s a short update this week at the Journal as we just continue to move forward:
• Scheduling conflicts prevented us from filming Inside The Vikes this week. It’s unfortunate as I think the show is off to a great start. Look for a return next week.
• Speaking of football, I was ecstatic to be on the sidelines for Curry’s win over Berry last week. The emotion from those kids and coaching staff was overwhelming. Thank you to everyone who shared the live feed from Travis Hudson Stadium. I look forward to getting back into doing more things like that in the future.
• We announced The #CommunityFirst Initiative this week and kicked it off with a t-shirt fundraiser to raise money for the Walker County Children’s Advocacy Center. I said when we launched last month that one of our goals is to keep Walker County at the heart of everything we do. This initiative is just one part of doing that and keeping people first in everything we do. Will we always get it right? No. Will you let us know when we don’t? Please do.
• The Ad Flyer is now available with prices for anyone looking to advertise with The Community Journal. If you have any questions or want to advertise, reach out to James Phillips for more information. Remember, there is only one dedicated news source in Walker County that doesn’t require readers to pay to see your ad. That’s The Community Journal.
• We broke 1,000 followers on Facebook this week. That’s huge for a website and page that has only been around for a month. Thank you to everyone who has liked and shared out posts. Please keep doing so. The Facebook algorithm works in a way that more engagement a page gets, the more you will from that page. So, please, if you see something you like, hit that like and share button. It does make a difference.
Like I said, it’s a short week for updates. My wife and I will be at Dragon Con in Atlanta for the next five days and I plan to post photos and updates from the event. It’s not exactly local, but I do own the company and I think it’s interesting, so I get to do things like that.
I’ll see you all next week.
