The beginning of a new year usually comes with clear resolutions and goals to be accomplished. Maybe your goal is to get in the best shape you’ve ever been, buy a house, have kids, or just graduate. But what about paying more attention to our mental health? Sanity is fundamental for the accomplishment of any other goal we commit to. Good health of mind comes with good eating and physical habits, as well as constant attention to what our mind and the associated emotions are telling us.
Committing to new accomplishments means we are aiming for progress in our lives. One emotion that constantly opposes such progress is shame. Shame is often associated with negative self-evaluation, but where does it really come from? One could argue that shame comes into the picture after any dishonouring or indecorous conduct. However, in most cases, shame is a social construct.
In most cases shame is a social construct
Shame has historically been given to minorities even before they had the opportunity to set foot on this planet. Given as preassigned societal roles and fear to exist because of one’s ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, and spirituality. Such an infamous gift must be eradicated from one’s life, and this happens with enduring awareness of one’s circumstance as a minority and self-worth while identifying and rejecting what society has taught us to feel ashamed of.
A great example is the case of Gisele Pelicot; her bravery and determination have demonstrated that the only way to make real progress in an oppressive society is to raise awareness, fight, and endure. ‘Shame must change sides’.
Willy Contreras-Avilés (34) is a second-year PhD candidate in Horticulture and Biochemistry of medicinal cannabis, from Panama. He likes to dance (perrear), cook Italian food, and swim.
