If you haven't heard of Shay Mitchell, then maybe it's time to be enlightened. Aside from playing one of the four, now five, main characters on the popular show "Pretty Little Liars," Shay Mitchell has written a book and made me drop my jaw a number of times because of her timeline on Instagram. As a woman of many travels, Shay has had a lot of experiences she shares with fans on her YouTube channel, but those same fans might have missed Shay's subtle Instagram mantra posts.
Every time I seem to have a bad day or my life starts to unravel a new mystery I can't quite figure out, Shay is there. Here are 10 posts from Shay's Instagram for if you are ever in a funk or need a new perspective to life.
1. Prince
In light of recent news about the passing of Prince, his famous quote is a reminder we all struggle and we all have something in common. As a honor to Prince and a general Shayism, I appreciate the post for all it's value.
2. Positivity
I can't speak for everyone, but I occasionally have thoughts of myself and others in a negative way. There's always a part of me who wonders if I am a bad person, but seeing this on my feed reminded me otherwise. People have negative thoughts, but it doesn't make them any less good or more bad. Bad thoughts exist, but it's working not to let them overpower you that shapes you.
3. Kings
Isn't that the truth? There are so many people who try and tell girls and women what they can and can't do. This post is so empowering because it speaks on the realization that, as a girl, you are enough, and when you see your wings, then you can fly. Sometimes I find it so easy to forget who I am because of the fear of not being liked by a guy or something. When I saw this, I was reminded I needed to realize the value of being myself because I don't need a king. I am beyond that.
4. Force
Recently I was at a point in my life where I wanted something so bad—someone so bad—that I tried so hard to be the kind of person they'd like or try to be with them or even work to keep a friendship so much harder than the other person. Again, if it were really meant to be or if it were supposed to happen, it would. Sometimes you have to let go of the friend, the crush, etc.
5.Youth
I can't speak for anyone else but myself when I say I truly needed someone in my childhood. I really needed the me I am now. To the younger me: Everything will be OK, and all the struggles will continue, but I will come out in the end.
6. Flowers
There is such an ingrained concept in our culture and our society about the power of dominance. Specifically the narrative has affected women because of the idea that women are possessions for someone else to take control of. Well, I think that idea needs to change.
7. Energy
When I think of this, I think back to Laverne Cox. I think, "Where does my energy go and where should it be going?" Everything in our lives takes up energy, but there are so many things that don't need our energy. Similarly, to do something you want, you have to put in the energy to get it going and reach your end goal.
8. Beauty
Isn't this the internal struggle of everyone's life? There comes a point when we realize our beauty isn't any lesser than anyone else's and being mean to ourselves isn't going to make anyone happy or improve our lives. When you love yourself, your beauty radiates from within.
9. Love and Life
It's so easy to want someone else's life because you think it's glamorous or above the level of real expectations. When we do this, we devalue our own experiences and the things that make our lives special. When we start to love our own life, we begin to start loving ourselves.
10. Women
I think the most important thing anyone can do is realize they are enough. Women have always been told they need men to get anywhere in life or to be someone. This quote perfectly states the power women (and really anyone) have to be enough in order to be complete or successful.
