Let’s Talk About Labels (And Why They Suck)

Alright, community—let’s get real for a second. How many times have you caught yourself shrinking under some label society slapped on you? "Addict." "Anxious." "Hot mess express." (Okay, that last one might just be my internal nickname, but you get the point.) Stigma is everywhere, sticking to us like gum on a shoe. And honestly, it’s time we started scraping it off.

We’ve all heard the big voices in mental health and addiction spaces shouting, “Break the stigma!” But what does that even mean for regular people like us, slogging through the day-to-day? Here’s a not-so-secret secret: breaking stigma doesn’t have to look like a TED Talk or a viral Instagram post. Sometimes it’s as simple (and as hard) as refusing to let those sticky labels decide who you get to be.

So, how do we do it? First, let’s laugh at the absurdity—because if we can’t laugh at ourselves, we’re just giving stigma free rent in our heads. The world’s already heavy enough. Next, let’s call ourselves out (with love) whenever we catch our inner voice parroting those labels. “I’m just broken.” Nope. You’re a limited edition, not a factory reject.

And here’s the big one: let’s talk. Not just the big, dramatic confessions, but the tiny, everyday admissions. “Hey, I had a rough day and that’s okay.” “Yeah, I see a therapist. She’s great and so am I.” Every time we’re honest, we chip away at the wall.

Will we wake up tomorrow and find all the stigma gone? Not a chance. (If only it was that easy—like deleting spam emails.) But you’ll start to feel it: a little less weight, a little more freedom to be yourself, and maybe even the urge to help someone else do the same.

So here’s your accountability moment—because you knew it was coming from me. This week, notice one label you’ve been carrying around and set it down (even if just for an hour). Share your story, or just admit to yourself that you’re more than any one word. Bit by bit, that’s how we change things. And if you need a nudge, or someone to laugh at the messiness with you, you know where to find me.

You’re not your label, you’re not your diagnosis, and you’re definitely not alone. Let’s keep kicking stigma’s butt—one awkward, honest, laugh-out-loud moment at a time.-Belle-