What Mental Health means to me: Muskan Choraria

In a world often too full of itself, I am humbled by the mere absurdity of it. 

For most people at 16, the word "health" evokes images of gyms, green smoothies, and glowing influencers preaching the latest wellness trends.  But for me, health isn’t just about checking off boxes on a ‘wellness’ to-do list or a perfect diet. It's about balance—between my mind and body, between my ambitions and rest, but above all, between what the world expects from me and what makes me happy.

Social media has amplified conversations about mental health in today's world. Undeniably, it is important. But sometimes, the conversation feels off. People are hyper-aware of mental health yet miss its essence. Sharing a quote about ‘self-love’ or reposting a trendy infographic doesn't necessarily equate to understanding what mental health really is. For me, mental health is about the small, real things. To curl up with a book that makes me think and dream, to pour my thoughts onto a page in writing, or just sitting with someone I love, sharing laughter and silence nourish me and help me grow into the person I want to be. Moreover, it’s not about being productive all the time—it’s about allowing myself to pause and truly enjoy life.  It's about learning how to set boundaries but also how to push them when growth demands. It's a journey of understanding my strengths and vulnerabilities and embracing both.

Mental health is also about growth. It's about being kind to myself when things don't go as planned, learning from my mistakes, and giving myself the freedom to change. It's not about perfection; it's about progress. Some days that progress is small, like taking a break to breathe when I feel overwhelmed. Other days, it's pushing myself to step out of my comfort zone to learn something new.

Recently, I joined the Blogging and Writing Team of The YANA Community, and though I'm still new, I find myself challenged to bring out more from the inspired mission. Though I haven't yet had a chance to contribute much, I feel most grateful for being part of this community. It is not only a place to learn about mental health, but it's a chance to bring about real difference in people's lives, particularly those underprivileged children.

To me, mental health means living with authenticity—it is doing what I love and attending to my mind, striving for a balance between my responsibilities and passions. Joining YANA has reminded me how important it's to be seeking one's own mental health while contributing to the discovery of others'. I’m excited to continue this journey, to learn more, and to play even a small role in bringing light and support to those who need it.

-Muskan Choraria