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Your Essential Guide to Prioritizing Mental Health in 2025.

  • Writer: Xiara F.
    Xiara F.
  • Feb 16
  • 4 min read


As we are now well into Q1 of 2025, I hope that the year is off to a wonderful start for you. For me, last year was my Year of Transition as I navigated the highs and lows of post-grad life. Between finishing my dissertation, stepping into new opportunities, and adjusting to life beyond grad school, I found myself reflecting deeply on how I could show up for myself in this next chapter. This year, I’ve decided to make my mental health a top priority. Whether it’s managing stress, setting healthy boundaries, or finding more joy in the everyday, I’m committed to being intentional about my well-being in 2025. If you're feeling the same and looking for ways to prioritize your mental health this year, I created this practical guidebook with actionable steps you can take to nurture your mental health. Let's dive in!


#1. Curate Your Feed, Protect Your Peace: A Healthier Approach to Social Media.

Changing my social media habits is an immediate, practical step to improving my mental health this year. I’ve made a conscious effort to follow pages that inspire positivity, personal growth, and joy, while unfollowing gossip pages or content that drains my energy. The constant stream of negativity, especially in the wake of the new U.S. administration and all the accompanying changes, can easily become overwhelming. Taking intentional social media breaks allows me to step back, protect my peace, and focus on what truly matters in my life. By curating my online experience and limiting my time on these platforms, I’m creating space for more clarity, balance, and joy—and I encourage you to do the same. Your mental health is worth it.


Looking for uplifting content? Here are some inspiring accounts to follow:


#2. Practice mindfulness and gratitude daily.

Practicing mindfulness and gratitude is the next simple, everyday method to improving my mental health. This could include activities like journaling, meditation, or even taking a few moments each day to list things you're thankful for. These practices can help ground you, reduce stress, and shift your focus to the positive aspects of your life. Plus, it’s easy to incorporate into a morning or evening routine, making it practical and sustainable! Another meaningful way that I’m improving my mental health in 2025 is by deepening my spiritual connection with God. Whether it’s through prayer, reading scripture, or simply sitting in quiet reflection, this time allows me to realign my focus and express gratitude for the blessings in my life. Starting or ending my day with these moments of faith helps me to find peace amidst life’s chaos and reminds me of the bigger picture. It’s a grounding practice that nurtures both my soul and my mental well-being. Check out my Christian Essentials on my Amazon storefront if you're in need for a new Bible or devotional.



#3. Therapy: The ultimate wellness essential.

This final essential involves more of a deeper, longer-term investment. Therapy has been a transformative tool for improving my mental health over the years throughout my grad school experience. It provides a safe space to unpack my thoughts, work through challenges, and gain new perspectives on my emotions and behaviors. Having an unbiased professional to guide me has been invaluable in helping me identify patterns, set healthy boundaries, and develop coping strategies for stress and anxiety. Therapy isn’t just about addressing problems—it’s also about self-discovery and growth. Investing in my mental health through therapy is one of the best forms of self-care I can give myself. It’s a reminder that seeking help is a strength, not a weakness.


I’ll admit, I had taken almost a year-long break from therapy—blame it on my dissertation and post-grad life. But now that I’m on an intentional journey to improve my mental health, I knew it was time to get back into it. I started therapy again about a month ago, just had a session this week, and already have my next one scheduled. It feels good to be back in that space. If you’ve been thinking about therapy but aren’t sure where to start, there are plenty of resources available to help you find the right fit. I personally found my therapist through Spring Health (check to see if your employer/health insurance offers this platform, my first 6 sessions are free!), Therapy for Black Girls, and Psychology Today. These platforms offer great options for finding a provider that meets your needs.


I understand that therapy can be a financial investment, but it’s one that can yield invaluable returns for your mental health, personal growth, and overall well-being. If you’re still unsure about whether therapy is the right choice for you, I encourage you to check out my blog post, Therapy Ain’t For Me… Or Is It?, where I share my own hesitations and how I overcame them.


Prioritizing my mental health in 2025 is a journey, not a destination, and these three essentials—curating my social media, practicing mindfulness and gratitude, and committing to therapy—are helping me along the way. I hope this practical guidebook inspires you to reflect on your own well-being and find ways to nurture your mental health this year. Remember, small, intentional steps can make a big difference. Here’s to a happier, healthier 2025!




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