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Hello, Jhana’s supporters! It’s your disability advocate and writer, Jhana. I hope you’re well. I also hope you had a good and safe Thanksgiving.
Despite assuming we wouldn’t have much of a Thanksgiving this year, we were pleasantly surprised by the outcome. Our housing provided us with some Thanksgiving dinner, complete with my all-time favorite pumpkin pie. They even gave us a turkey, so we ended up having two! We ate one on Thanksgiving and look forward to enjoying the other on Christmas.
I am still trying to publish my blogs every Thursday. So far, it has been working out. If I don’t finish writing blogs on Saturdays, I finish them on Sundays. Then, my editor has Monday to Wednesday to edit my blogs. They sometimes get edited on Thursday morning. I am getting to the point where publishing my blogs regularly is easier if nothing else comes up. What is hard is knowing what nights the kids around our apartment will be quiet so I can make YouTube videos. Anyway, let’s get into today’s blog.
Understanding the Impact of Self-Comparison on Mental Health
I’ve noticed that people with disabilities are more likely to compare themselves to others. Self-comparison can be detrimental to mental health, especially for those with disabilities. Comparing yourself to others means overlooking your own accomplishments and strengths, leading to low self-esteem and depression. People with disabilities tend to feel like they need to compare themselves to nondisabled people because they think that nondisabled people have more to offer. But it is not true.
Awareness that all people, including nondisabled people, have flaws is the first step to self-acceptance and personal growth.
The Role of Social Media in Shaping Perceptions of Disability
Social media loves to create its own definition of disability. For example, if you have a physical disability and difficulty walking long distances, society calls that a disability. But if you have a mental disability or invisible disability, society won’t call that a disability because you are “able-bodied.”
Cultivating Self-Compassion: Tools for Positive Self-Reflection
Cultivating self-compassion involves self-reflection. Developing a healthy mindset can include journaling and being positive. It can encourage you to have self-acceptance.
You can learn how to treat yourself with the kindness you deserve by practicing self-compassion; this is especially important for those with disabilities. It’s not just a practice, but a powerful tool for building a more supportive and positive mindset. It’s about empowering yourself with the same kindness you would offer a friend and, in doing so, recognizing your own worth.
Finding Community and Support: Connecting with others
Finding a support system is vital for those navigating the challenge of self-comparison. Connecting to those with similar experiences can provide validation and encouragement.
Finding where you belong can help you combat isolation and comparison, whether through online forums, local support groups, or social media communities. It is very important to remember that everyone has their own journey, and every journey is unique.
Embracing Individuality: Celebrating Your Unique Strengths
Embracing individuality is a powerful antidote to self-comparison. Each and every person has their own strengths and experiences that shape their identity.
Focusing on personal achievements and celebrating what makes you unique, such as your talents, skills, or personal qualities, gives you a sense of pride and confidence that diminishes the urge to compare yourself to others.
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