Thank you for checking out my blog! #LNT #letsnormalizethat has a purpose to influence being human.
Author: Ashley Simon, MS, NASM PT | Creator of LNT Blog
Welcome to the #LNT blog! My name is Ashley Lynn Simon, the creator of Let's Normalize That. This blog's primary purpose is to "normalize being human".
What does that mean?
I'll start by acknowledging social media's many pros. For example, influencers can be motivating, inspiring, and informational, and content can create community, uplift moods, and become a source of recognition and revenue for talent. What an amazing thing human minds created! Now, that being said, there are downsides, as with anything.
Social media's #influencerlifestyle has caused noticeable problems with society's mental health. We focus a lot on youth, which is true and needed; however, we also need to remain focused on general societal members engaged in online platforms.
That is why, Let's Normalize That, focuses on influencing normal human behavior and not necessarily living the "perfect lifestyle" or pushing toxic positivity.
I want to normalize expressing ideas and being proud of the creations our minds release to the world. #LNT has a goal of externalizing thoughts you don't feel anyone else has, normalizing typical human behavior we feel is abnormal and isolating, and doing things we assume others judge us for when they, probably honestly, couldn't care less.
I look at social media with a balanced perspective, just like I look at life. There is a lot of good out there; for example, I would not be able to leave my house in this modern era without influencer videos coaching me on how to do the new trendy "eyeshadow look" or "eyebrow technique", or how to keep my skin moisturized. These people are great resources to inspire, motivate, and coach us when we feel the need. I need them as a source of motivation to channel the self-confidence I need in order to push myself into uncomfortable growth. Like, for me, that is posting more videos on social media and breaking that barrier, or externalizing my thoughts on this blog, and facing the public.
AND
On another note, the majority of us may not have the privilege to perform the new trends, travel to the new places, or buy the new clothes when they are first released. That's okay, and I'm sure I am not the only one who wants that to be normalized. Oftentimes, I do not personally find myself prancing around gracefully like a Disney princess with the funds to experience the "magical" influencer lifestyle. I know I am not alone in that.
A 2016 study found that individuals who confirm living with mental health issues (depression, anxiety, etc.) use social media "at comparable rates as the general population" with 70% use among middle-aged adults and 97% among the younger populations (Aschbrenner et al., 2016). It also reflects on the high percentage of these individuals who turn to social media platforms to engage in mental health topics, spread resources and tools, and seek educational and motivational material for support in their lives. When there is a large majority of influencer content out there promoting a lifestyle most people feel they cannot reach it, do not want to reach it, or were born in a situation they can't easily obtain it. That, alone, can have harmful impacts on populations that are already susceptible to worsening their mental health state. Those populations are going.
It can surface some deep insecurities that we may be avoiding and hand a microphone to negative, intrusive thoughts. Maybe that is the beginning of escalating mental health issues for some, therefore increasing the statistics above, steadily, as social media's reign moves forward.
See? These are the thoughts that I want to normalize.
These are the deeper conversations about being human in our society at this present time. This blog can at least relate to some people, or spark some interesting topics to mull over or discuss with another human. Another study found opportunities online for people to feel less alone, spread hope, share coping strategies and resources, and "learn through mutual reciprocity" exist and are highly positive influences for those living with difficulties in their mental health (Naslund et al., 2020).
THAT. Right there is why Let's Normalize That" exists. That is why I created this blog; with the intentions to create content that will accomplish what is listed above in the referenced study. #Influencingbeinghuman needs to start somewhere and clearly platforms like #LNT are needed, wanted, supportive, and positively impactful in our society.
Let's Normalize That, serves another purpose. In the United States, unfortunately, very few people who are living with mental health issues do "not have access to adequate mental health services" (Patel, et al., 2018). So, I want this blog to serve a dual purpose of influencing being human and providing resources, tools, discussions, relatability, community, etc., on a mass scale for those who are finding mental health services accessible. In particular, the #LNT blog I've created addresses this:
"As the field of digital mental health advances, the wide reach, ease of access, and popularity of social media platforms could be used to allow individuals in need of mental health services or facing challenges of mental illness to access evidence-based treatment and support" (Naslund et al., 2020).
So, I have chosen to apply my master of science degree in psychology as a an accessible resource online. The content, at the core, is meant for this. Even topics on style and identity, lifestyle and trends., etc. All of it is human. We made it, didn't we?
If this feels like a blog space where you can at least feel like you're on track by embracing your #human-ness, then maybe it can leak into general, everyday life and increase your confidence.
Maybe it can serve as a reminder to give yourself permission to own and be you, and not give a single care in the world about other's #POV.
All because you have found that surrendering to the freedom of being human with compassion and self-love is better than feeling trapped in unrealistic expectations drenched in #perfectionism.
That it is more rewarding to normalize being human than to internalize imaginary judgments from others that more than likely do not exist in the first place, but you've chosen not to address the core of this because #toxicpositivity masks it all.
Find that balance. Keep engaging in the content bringing you that! Maybe it is this, maybe it is something else, maybe a mix! You can use this blog as a resource to ground yourself in what it means to be human when, sparked with positivity, lightheartedness, and personality, if you ever feel inadequate and alone.
Let's normalize being human.
On THAT note, here is my straightforward input on how you can choose to consume this blog's content and my social media posts.
I am not here to be right, push ideas onto others, or internalize criticism. I am here to achieve my own goals, provide useful and interesting content for others, and influence being human.
Author
Ashley Simon, MS, NASM PT | Creator of LNT Blog
What was I listening to while writing this post?
I am probably always listening to music while writing or working on this blog. Music fuels my mood, creativity, soul, thoughts, emotions, and memories. It drives me on a deep level. So, part of being human is sharing these experiences, lyrics, artists, and sounds with each other! It is sort of part of our process; part of our stories, intertwined.
It also sprinkles human-ness all around this website with a dash of my personality. Be prepared, I have a wide range in music taste, so you get what you get, unapologetically.
So, I will be including a little list of songs I listened to that inspired content each time I post! Take it or leave it, but if you're interested in expanding your playlist options, this is a great place to consider. I also find this being a great way to support artists, and I'm all about that type of collaboration in this life.
A Little LNT Welcome
Heart Over Mind, by Alan Walker & Daya
The Promise, by When in Rome
Paint The Town Red, by Doja Cat
Viva La Vida, by Coldplay
Homesick, by Noah Kahan, ft. Sam Fender
Now That We Don't Talk (Taylor's Version)(From The Vault), by Taylor Swift
Something To Remember, by Matt Hansen
Is It Over Now? (Taylor's Version)(From The Vault), by Taylor Swift
WHAT JUST HAPPENED, The Kid LAROI
One Of Your Girls, by Troye Sivan
References:
Andreassen C, Billieux J, Griffiths MD, Kuss DJ, Demetrovics Z, Mazzoni E, Pallesen S. The relationship between addictive use of social media and video games and symptoms of psychiatric disorders: A large-scale cross-sectional study. Psychol Addict Behav. 2016 Mar;30(2):252-62. doi: 10.1037/adb0000160. PMID: 26999354.
Aschbrenner KA, Naslund JA, Shevenell M, Kinney E, Bartels SJ. A Pilot Study of a Peer-Group Lifestyle Intervention Enhanced With mHealth Technology and Social Media for Adults With Serious Mental Illness. J Nerv Ment Dis. 2016 Jun;204(6):483-6. doi: 10.1097/NMD.0000000000000530. PMID: 27233056; PMCID: PMC4887192.
Brunette MF, Achtyes E, Pratt S, Stilwell K, Opperman M, Guarino S, Kay-Lambkin F. use of smartphones, computers and social media among people with SMI: Opportunity for intervention. community mental health J. 2019 Aug;55(6):973-978. doi: 10.1007/s10597-019-00431-7. Epub 2019 Jun 8. PMID: 31175518; PMCID: PMC7534532.
Naslund JA, Aschbrenner KA, Marsch LA, Bartels SJ. Feasibility and acceptability of Facebook for health promotion among people with serious mental illness. Digit Health. 2016 Nov 1;2:2055207616654822. doi: 10.1177/2055207616654822. Epub 2016 Jun 1. PMID: 28367321; PMCID: PMC5370548.
Naslund, J. A., Bondre, A., Torous, J., & Aschbrenner, K. A. (2020). Social media and mental health: Benefits, risks, and opportunities for research and practice. Journal of technology in behavioral science, 5(3), 245–257. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41347-020-00134-x
Patel V, Saxena S, Lund C, Thornicroft G, Baingana F, Bolton P, … Eaton J (2018). The Lancet Commission on global mental health and sustainable development. The Lancet.
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