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Instagram Mentality

  • I usually smile in all of my pictures bc my mom paid my orthodontist a lot of money for my teeth to look good.
  • But if I’m being honest, even with all the places I’ve been privileged enough to go and all the things I’ve been able to do, I’m not always happy and I’ve been having a pretty rough semester. Traveling has been my biggest- and best distraction.
  • I struggle with medium general anxiety. My biggest goal for the last 2 years has been self-awareness and actively working on the things I struggle with. In social situations my general anxiety is exacerbated and it can get really hard for me to communicate effectively. It’s always manageable but at home it’s easier because I have a support system of people that love, and guide me.
  • Going abroad with a relatively unknown program and a group of people from entirely different states was one of the hardest decisions I’d ever made. I was going to be REALLY far from home and there was no one coming with me that even knew the atmosphere that I was coming from. One of my specific study abroad goals was to make friends with my new group and hopefully build a support system that was a little more accessible.
  • Unfortunately the opposite of this happened and I actually ended up being outcasted from the rest of the Americans in my program with very few of them even bothering to say hello.
  • I didn’t want to let this define me but it’s also hard to constantly be around triggers that make you feel bad about yourself when you’re supposed to be having the time of your life.
  • My solution is to travel. I distract myself with greenery, beaches and lots of animals. I usually spend more money than I’d like to but it’s always worth it.
  • I love to travel and share my experiences with my friends and family on social media. I’m told “You look so happy!” Which I am, but just not all the time- which is what everyone deduces from me smiling on my Instagram page.
  • I love my adventures and the joy they bring me but it’s important to recognize that people have more going on in their lives than what they show you.
  • But my mom paid good money for these teeth so catch me smiling even when I’m alone 🤟🏾