Jordan is Making Space for Mental Health

Mental health is something that has quickly become very near and dear to me, as I have recently discovered my personal journey with maintaining my mental health. It is something I find that most people, if not everyone, has struggled with to varying degrees. Facing mental illness, for me, meant trying to overcome such experiences as low self-esteem, low self-confidence, insecurity, and anxiety. It’s a real strength to recognize that these can be helped, whether it be through writing, therapy, or having a close group of people to support you. The path to prioritizing one’s mental health is a tough one to begin, and it certainly has its ups and downs, but I can’t express how worthwhile it is to be on. Everyone deserves happiness– true, genuine, self-made happiness– and I wish to inspire others to join me on this path.
Jordan Lichtenheld, Student at the University of Colorado

Make Space for Mental Health with LifeSpace

Share your journey and why this is important to you

When I first went off to college, I realized the extent to which my mental health was withering. Being independent for the first time felt incredibly freeing. It also revealed to me that I had a lot of issues, specifically that I was lacking in caring for myself. I had always been focusing my energy on the other people in my life, my friends and family, to try and be the best friend, daughter, sister, student, etc. that I could be. I was living for other people, rather than living for myself. I never focused on myself, and didn’t want those around me to really focus on me and what’s going on inside my mind. My friends could always come to me for help, but when I realized I didn’t feel confident in coming to them, I discovered that there was something more serious going on inside my mind, something that I couldn’t understand on my own. I eventually sought out therapy, which marked the first step in my mental health journey that has lead me to the beautiful and open person I believe myself to now be.

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How would you like to inspire others?

It certainly helps to know that you are not alone in your hardships. I hope that me being able to share my story, give suggestions to activities that I found beneficial (eg. yoga and meditation), and simply give off vibes that are supporting and encouraging through my writing can inspire those who read my work to make space for mental health– for themselves and for their own happiness– in their lives.