“Aku tak sempurna, tak perlu sempurna. Akan kurayakan apa adannya” is a song-lyric from an Indonesian Singer named Yura Yunita. Translated to English, the lyric means, “I’m not perfect. I don’t have to be perfect. I will celebrate who I am”.
Before I discovered well-being and mental health, I always thought that health only revolved around physical related. In fact, it’s more than that. No one told me how to love myself when I was just 4 or 5 years old. When I was 13 or 14, I witnessed many news stories about young people and adolescents who attempted and wanted to end their lives. Through this view, I realized that Self Love plays a huge part in our well-being, but it wasn’t a common topic to be discussed in my country. Somehow, it was taboo.
Coming from a quote I saw on my Pinterest board when I was 13. I’ve settled myself with one quote as a life motto. “I wanted to shine not only for me but so others could see the way”. By having the urge to be impactful to other people, I dream of finding the red string between “mental health” and my life motto. I tried to find the right place to bring “this dream” into reality. in 2020, I found Self Love Warrior Indonesia, a community platform focused on mental health issues led by Indonesian Youth. My team and I created and initiated many activities to spread mental health awareness through digital media and on-site workshops. Other than that, I built my local community called “Paradigma Remaja.” We did several community services for children around the rural area in my city. Through our activity, we want those children to enjoy their childhood with happiness and laughter while maintaining their well-being.
One day, I will bring both of my passion in advocating mental health issues and children’s well-being through a children’s book. I hope to collaborate with youth artists and make a book that teaches self-love in the most fun way. This book will be straightforward with A children-friendly substance, and it will be accessible to children from early ages not only in my country but to every child across the nation. One day, this won’t be just some words in a paper, it will be the reality.