We often hear the same questions every day: \u201cHow are you? How\u2019s it going?\u201d However, we rarely expect a sincere answer, as \u201cI\u2019m fine, and you?\u201d has become an automatic response. Even when we are navigating a whirlwind of emotions, we tend to hide them for fear of making others uncomfortable, appearing dramatic, or causing worry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We have been led to believe that showing vulnerability is a sign of weakness. Instead of allowing ourselves to feel or discuss what we're experiencing, we often distract ourselves, hoping to avoid confronting the burdens we've carried for so long. This is rooted in the belief that enduring hardships is synonymous with strength, which fosters a \"stronger society.\" Unfortunately, this mindset blurs the line between perseverance and merely enduring difficult situations, preventing us from acknowledging our emotions and seeking support when we most need it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I grew up believing that if I ever raised my voice or expressed what bothered or upset me, I would be a burden to others. I thought it wasn't wise to share my feelings. This approach to managing my emotions led to an accumulation of unresolved feelings, as I tended to minimize situations that I deemed \"not that big of a deal.\" Consequently, I lost confidence in myself because I didn't know how to communicate effectively. I also lost faith in others, as I felt they were not interested in listening to me. At the time, I didn\u2019t realize this was a mistake, but over time, the consequences became apparent. When I was thirteen, I was diagnosed with gastritis, which developed into a severe case. At first, no one understood how this happened, as I had always been someone who ate well and exercised regularly. However, I noticed that every time I bottled up a strong emotion, my stomach would begin to hurt intensely. This experience taught me that we often pay less attention to mental pain than to physical pain, and many of us only recognize that something is wrong when we start to feel it in our bodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Esta situaci\u00f3n cambi\u00f3 cuando me mud\u00e9 a Armenia, una ciudad donde los j\u00f3venes tenemos mucho que decir y, por lo mismo, luchar. Ah\u00ed conoc\u00ed a Young Gamechangers una iniciativa que me ense\u00f1\u00f3 sobre el liderazgo juvenil. Un motor\u00a0 que me hizo\u00a0 aprender que mi voz s\u00ed importa y lo importante que era comunicar mis preocupaciones y no solo las m\u00edas, si no la de los j\u00f3venes de mi territorio porque me di cuenta que no estoy sola, qu\u00e9 dolencias por las que yo paso muchos m\u00e1s j\u00f3venes tambi\u00e9n lo hacen y que necesitan espacios seguros donde sientan lo importante que es que puedan expresarse sin sentir miedo de\u00a0 que los juzguen o invaliden, que puedan aprender herramientas de una buena\u00a0 gesti\u00f3n de salud mental, donde se aprenda el\u00a0 manejo del estr\u00e9s de nuestra vida diaria y aprendemos nuevas habilidades para trabajar en los desaf\u00edos que nos enfrentemos, adem\u00e1s de cultivar v\u00ednculos de apoyo en cu\u00e1l podamos cobijarnos mutuamente.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, this mindset blurs the line between perseverance and merely enduring difficult situations, preventing us from acknowledging our emotions and seeking support when we most need it.<\/p>\n<\/div>
Recognizing that decisions made in our communities directly affect our lives has led us to realize that it's not enough for young people to merely be considered; we also need spaces where our voices can truly be heard. This belief motivated us to explore new ways to enhance our leadership and develop proposals rooted in our own experiences. This journey led us to discover the Hub Conexi\u00f3n Juvenil (Youth Connection Hub), a platform that unites organizations and stakeholders from various sectors to promote the well-being of young people in Colombia. At the Hub, we found a venue to share experiences, lessons learned, and knowledge from different regions. Through the Mental Health and Well-being Working Group, we were able to explore the challenges young people face concerning their emotional and community well-being in greater depth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n