Mental wellness is something we all need to build self-awareness around. While we are dealing with social media, information overload, and a neverending to-do list, there are so many people and organizations doing incredible things to support adults and youth with their mental well-being.
I wanted to highlight a really cool organization and several of its champions because it is an incredible resource online.
“Unsinkable uses storytelling to help people #BridgeTheGap between struggling with their mental health and taking steps towards mental well-being.”
It has all sorts of programming and ways to get involved, but I think one of the most impactful aspects is the stories you can read on its website. These stories are chock full of raw honesty, vulnerability, relatability, and great additional resources specific to many diverse issues surrounding mental well-being.
Unsinkable is a charitable organization founded by Olympic hero and mental health advocate Silken Laumann. Their MO is Together We Are Unsinkable, which I love because as someone who has struggled myself over the years and as a coach to others who are struggling, knowing that you are not alone in it is so vital to finding your way out.
Storytelling is such a powerful tool. We can find ourselves in other people’s stories, and it calms our nervous system to realize that someone, if not many other people, can relate to what we are going through. It provides us with a map of the way out.
The first story I want to highlight, although I recommend you look for yourself on their website to see if there is a story that jumps out to you or that you know will help someone in your network, is about body acceptance.
This is an issue that literally everyone struggles with on some level at some time. Since the multi-billion dollar diet industry determined to convince us that we are not enough isn’t going anywhere, it is essential to have tools to find a deeper love and self-acceptance for what is.
Did you know the number one factor impacting our risk for all chronic diseases is our belief that we are not enough?
Hailey’s story is so familiar, yet few of us are willing to share the nitty-gritty emotional journey we have been on with our weight. As a wellness coach, I know women’s tendency to go to extremes all too well. We find something that is working and go all in until we realize it is a quick fix to the exterior problem and unsustainable. It isn’t until we are willing to address the root causes and learn to love ourselves all along the way that a healthier mind/body/spirit emerges.
Working out because you hate your body isn’t sustainable.
Choosing food because you hate your body isn’t sustainable.
Outsourcing acceptance and love via social media is also not a holistic or long-term solution. The work is inner work, and it isn’t a quick fix. It is a lifelong journey that gets easier as you get clearer on your why. Your “why” needs to consider your overall well-being. How do you feel about yourself? Can you find love, acceptance, and gratitude for all the versions of you that have come and gone?
Check out Hailey’s “The Road To Body Acceptance: A Tale From Restriction To Reframing And Everything In Between.”
The second story I wanted to highlight is Maria’s. A woman of resilience. I love how she shares her non-negotiable self-care as a social worker, survivor, and addict:
“I practice self-care. I don’t do anything work-related at home. I love music, and I love having dance parties with my dog and my cat. I love watching TV shows that are funny and distracting from the serious world.”
You know I am a huge fan of the power of music and dance to heal and process heavy emotions!
Maria dives deep into her darker moments to reveal what questions she eventually found worked for her to dig herself out of her pain. It is so powerful to see how she uses her journey to healing to support others today. Her lasting sentiment that I completely agree with is so true:
“I honestly think that everybody needs something to believe in that’s greater than themselves. Whatever that is.”
Maria
Follow along with Unsinkable in all of the digital spaces and social places
- www.weareunsinkable.com
- @unsinkablestories on IG
- @unsinkable on YouTube
- We Are Unsinkable on Facebook
- Unsinkable on LinkedIn
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