In a world flooded with feel-good quotes, “good vibes only” culture, and a growing number of self-appointed life coaches, we need to pause, and get real.
Because while empowerment has its place, mental health is not a trend.
And for someone scrolling through social media, desperately searching for answers in a moment of darkness, what they read online can quite literally make or break them.
Lived Experience vs. Professional Support
At the Imperfectly Perfect Campaign, we’ve built our platform on real stories, shared bravely by people who’ve walked through the fire and made it out the other side. But we’re clear: these are stories, not prescriptions.
There’s a vital difference between:
Sharing your journey to inspire others,
and offering advice in place of professional care.
While life coaches, mentors, and peers can absolutely provide motivation or direction, they are not qualified mental health professionals. And in many cases, the rise of unregulated advice, no matter how well-intended—can actually deter people from getting the help they truly need.
🚩 When Positivity Becomes Harmful
We’ve all seen it:
“Just change your mindset.”
“High vibes only.”
“Repeat this affirmation and your depression will disappear.”
Let’s be clear, affirmations can be supportive, but they are not a treatment plan.
Telling someone with anxiety or clinical depression to simply “focus on the positive” can be invalidating, isolating, and dangerous. Because if that doesn’t work for them, they’re left thinking they’re broken, or worse, beyond help.
🎯 The Responsibility of Influence
If you’re someone with a platform, whether you’re a coach, creator, or content sharer, you have a responsibility.
Your words have weight.
Your story might reach someone on the brink.
And while it’s powerful to share what helped you, we must never present it as a one-size-fits-all fix.
Be diligent in how you speak. Always encourage professional support. And never position your approach as a replacement for proper help.
🧭 What We Stand For
At the Imperfectly Perfect Campaign, we’re not here to diagnose, prescribe, or offer professional guidance. We exist to:
Shine a light on real human stories
Break the stigma through vulnerability and visibility
And most importantly, direct people to the right resources when they need help
If you’re struggling, don’t self-diagnose based on someone else’s post.
Don’t rely on surface-level inspiration to heal deep wounds.
Please reach out to a licensed mental health professional.
💬 Final Word
Your story matters. Your healing matters.
But your safety matters more.
Let’s stop romanticising pain. Let’s stop selling positivity as a cure-all.
And let’s start holding the space, for truth, for support, and for professional care when it’s needed most.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please visit your local support services.
Because you are not alone and you never have to go through it alone.
