In recent years, the rise of social media has given birth to a new generation of influencers. These individuals have built large followings by sharing their lives, experiences, and opinions online. While the life of an influencer may seem glamorous, the reality is that it can be challenging to balance the demands of creating content, managing social media accounts, and dealing with mental health issues like depression. In this post, we will explore how I balance working online and struggling with mental health.

I'm a content creator and influencer who has been working in the industry for the past five years. I started my journey making random snapchats with my friends and colleagues. I quickly grew a following there, and on other social media platforms. While my online persona exudes confidence and positivity, I've been struggling with mental health for the past four years.

The challenges of being an influencer

As an influencer, my job requires me to be constantly connected to my followers. I spend most of my day responding to messages, creating content, and engaging with my audience. While this can be rewarding, it can also be mentally exhausting. I often feel like I'm always "on," and there is no break from the demands of my job.

Additionally, being an influencer means putting myself out there for everyone to see. This can be particularly difficult when struggling with mental health and depression. I sometimes feel like I'm living a double life – the confident, happy influencer online, and the anxious, sad person in real life.

How I balance work and mental health

Despite these challenges, I’m always battling to balance my work and mental health. Here are some strategies I've found helpful:

Seeking help: I knew that I needed help with my anxiety, so I reached out to a therapist. I found that talking about my feelings and learning coping strategies has been incredibly helpful.

Setting boundaries: I realized that I needed to set boundaries around my work to protect my mental health. I now take breaks throughout the day to do things I enjoy, like going for a walk or reading a book.

Authenticity: While it can be tempting to only share the highlight reel of my life online, I've found that being authentic about my struggles could be beneficial for others. I've received an outpouring of support from my followers, and I feel like I'm helping to reduce the stigma around mental health.

Self-care: I've also prioritized self-care. I make sure to get enough sleep, eat nutritious food, and exercise regularly. I also find taking bubble baths, practicing yoga, and journaling very calming.

The importance of mental health in the influencer world

My story is a reminder that mental health struggles can affect anyone, regardless of their job or social status. As social media becomes more integrated into our lives, it's essential to prioritize mental health in the influencer world. Influencers have a unique platform to start important conversations about mental health and to encourage their followers to seek help when needed.

Balancing work as an influencer and struggling with mental health traumas can be challenging, but it's not impossible. By seeking help, setting boundaries, being authentic, and prioritizing self-care, influencers like me can manage their mental health and continue to create content that inspires and uplifts their followers. Let's continue to have important conversations about mental health and support those who are struggling.

2.24.23