Some time last year, I shared pictures of my appearance on SABC1’s youth and empowerment show Daily Thetha on social media platforms. Some people took the liberty to comment about my weight gain. Even now, I have put on some weight. The ministry of self-appointed mirrors and scales continued on me.
I deleted and hid some of the comments.
To date, I still regret giving them so much power over what is acceptable or not acceptable to share on social media platforms.
Granted, I had and I have gained weight and it is okay. The month of October has been declared Mental Health Awareness Month for 2021 by the SA government.
As we educate the public about mental health, and try our best to reduce the stigma and discrimination that people with mental illnesses are often subjected to, I thought I should also remind you that our priorities differ.
Ideally, we would all like to be physically fit, emotionally great, mentally healthy and spiritually on cloud nine.
Often, we cannot find an equilibrium to all these demanding parts of our overall good health. When we get the weight right, the emotions are going through their own turbulence. And when the environment starts being friendly towards you, social issues such as poverty, gender inequality and childhood obesity bring you down.
So, I would really appreciate it if you stop reminding us (those with some mkhabanyana, waist handles, touching thighs and more) about the changes in our bodies.
Contrary to popular belief, men too have body issues. We don’t talk about them as much as we should, but we definitely have them. The common one being the height issue. And we joke about it, but most men wish they were taller than they are.
As Taylor Swift puts it: “I definitely have body issues, but everybody does. When we come to the realisation that everybody does – even the people that I consider flawless, then you can start to live with the way you are.”
We are aware of all the changes in our bodies. Kudos to you for being able to win in the mental health battles, physical health war and emotional armageddon and the WWE Raw of spirituality.
However, kindly refrain from reminding us of our weight gains.
I remember how I have been struggling to eat in the past month because of some emotional challenges I was going through. When it hit October and everything had settled, I started to eat again, I am enjoying food. The result of that is gaining weight.
We see the emotional imbalance play out, we witness the symptoms of your mental issues. Never ever have we teased you or highlighted these changes or illnesses.
And it will never be our place to do so.
Being fat or being overweight isn't ideal. It is the same with being skinny and underweight.
Nevertheless, perhaps the intangible victories on winnings against anxiety attacks, the victories against PTSD, severe depression and suicide are all that matters rather than having a six-pack, full chest and mapped-out thighs.
And, I hope that you are emotionally and mentally healthy you self-appointed minister of being overweight and fat.
We have our own mental health issues to deal with. To all of you, may we have an aware and informative Mental Health Month.
• Chabalala is the founder of the Young Men Movement, an organisation that empowers the boy child to ensure that we have well-rounded men in the future.
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