<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This past summer, I attended a workshop event called Leadershape, at which I had the opportunity to expand not only my leadership skills, but also to brainstorm ways I could improve my community. My peers and I participated in multiple activities and discussions that broadened our minds, making us aware of the world that we live in as wells as our ability to change it. I knew what I wanted to do once I got back to campus in the fall. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When school started once again in September, I noticed something. Amidst my own episode of depression, I had a conversation with one of my close friends, who revealed he was also suffering from his own battle with mental illness. I kept talking to my friends, who were all secretly fighting something, yet they also felt that they had to pretend that they weren’t. Perhaps due to the competitive atmosphere of Tulane, I found that we were all hiding such a big part of our lives and identities.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Upon this realization, I started a movement to keep the conversation going. I wanted to give my peers a safe place in order to also give them the chance to share their personal struggles. I wanted to create a support system in which they could feel comfortable talking about their inner battles, and I thought what better place to do that than social media? </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I find that on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, I tend to use a front, and I think that’s a common behavior for a lot of people. We all like to put our best selves forward, as if to flaunt our lives and to have others envy us. But why haven’t we realized yet that that is only going to foster mental illnesses like anxiety and depression further?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So why don’t we use social media to do the opposite? Why don’t we post about what isn’t going right or who we are in authenticity as a vehicle of solidarity and acceptance? The #RawMovement was created to do just that. I launched the Instagram and Facebook pages in an attempt to destigmatize mental illness, to promote self-love, to embrace the authentic self, and to raise awareness. In short, it was created to spread love. It was created to help you be you, be real, and be raw.</span></p>
<div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow wp-amp-block wp-block-jetpack-slideshow__autoplay wp-block-jetpack-slideshow__autoplay-playing" id="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow__1"><div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_container swiper"><amp-carousel width="1595" height="1600" layout="responsive" type="slides" data-next-button-aria-label="Next Slide" data-prev-button-aria-label="Previous Slide" controls loop autoplay delay=3000 id="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow__amp-carousel__1" on="slideChange:wp-block-jetpack-slideshow__amp-pagination__1.toggle(index=event.index, value=true)"><div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide"><figure><img width="1595" height="1600" src="https://i0.wp.com/tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/22137121_2038719936404916_7214159420275075426_o.jpg?fit=1595%2C1600&;ssl=1" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image" alt="" object-fit="contain" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/22137121_2038719936404916_7214159420275075426_o.jpg?w=1595&;ssl=1 1595w, https://i0.wp.com/tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/22137121_2038719936404916_7214159420275075426_o.jpg?resize=720%2C722&;ssl=1 720w, https://i0.wp.com/tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/22137121_2038719936404916_7214159420275075426_o.jpg?resize=32%2C32&;ssl=1 32w, https://i0.wp.com/tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/22137121_2038719936404916_7214159420275075426_o.jpg?resize=50%2C50&;ssl=1 50w, https://i0.wp.com/tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/22137121_2038719936404916_7214159420275075426_o.jpg?resize=64%2C64&;ssl=1 64w, https://i0.wp.com/tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/22137121_2038719936404916_7214159420275075426_o.jpg?resize=96%2C96&;ssl=1 96w, https://i0.wp.com/tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/22137121_2038719936404916_7214159420275075426_o.jpg?resize=128%2C128&;ssl=1 128w, https://i0.wp.com/tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/22137121_2038719936404916_7214159420275075426_o.jpg?w=1280&;ssl=1 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">My secret is that I fall in love with people every day. Not just with them, with their stories. I become enveloped in possibilities that could be so far from the truth or so close it hurts. I tend to love little moments more than the big. My secret is that in makes me forget about loving myself and my moments. Loving my stories and become enveloped in my possibilities. My secret is that I'm only as adaptable as I allow myself to be. But I'm still here. Loving people's stories is finding beauty in the world. I'm trying to make those stories become a part of my own. My secret is that I'm loving myself through choosing to love all of you. #RawMovement</figcaption></figure></div><div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide"><figure><img width="1595" height="1596" src="https://i0.wp.com/tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/22829411_2051257445151165_7832758785617244681_o.jpg?fit=1595%2C1596&;ssl=1" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image" alt="" object-fit="contain" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/22829411_2051257445151165_7832758785617244681_o.jpg?w=1599&;ssl=1 1599w, https://i0.wp.com/tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/22829411_2051257445151165_7832758785617244681_o.jpg?resize=720%2C720&;ssl=1 720w, https://i0.wp.com/tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/22829411_2051257445151165_7832758785617244681_o.jpg?resize=32%2C32&;ssl=1 32w, https://i0.wp.com/tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/22829411_2051257445151165_7832758785617244681_o.jpg?resize=50%2C50&;ssl=1 50w, https://i0.wp.com/tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/22829411_2051257445151165_7832758785617244681_o.jpg?resize=64%2C64&;ssl=1 64w, https://i0.wp.com/tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/22829411_2051257445151165_7832758785617244681_o.jpg?resize=96%2C96&;ssl=1 96w, https://i0.wp.com/tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/22829411_2051257445151165_7832758785617244681_o.jpg?resize=128%2C128&;ssl=1 128w, https://i0.wp.com/tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/22829411_2051257445151165_7832758785617244681_o.jpg?w=1280&;ssl=1 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">My secret is when I was at my first physical therapy session laying on the table after my 3rd Knee Surgery, I physically couldn't raise my left leg. I cried in the moment feeling the greatest "pain" of all, not being able to physically do something. Afterwards I knew what it meant to say,"I can't do it," so afterwards I promised myself I would never quit in any situation or break any promises to anyone. This adds a lot of pressure to myself, because that statement has built me into this revolutionary that refuses to turn people down when they're in need. It adds pressure on me to stay as real to myself as I would to someone else. But I know I can handle it. I now feel that my purpose on Earth is to change the world through appealing to those that can't understand faith to be real, and those whose dreams passed by regretting/hurtful circumstances. My secret is that every tear I cried after surgery was a collection of courage to face everything standing in my way to save others. #RawMovement</figcaption></figure></div><div class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_slide"><figure><img width="1595" height="1598" src="https://i0.wp.com/tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/23000250_2054315074845402_1517203742029399856_o.jpg?fit=1595%2C1598&;ssl=1" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_image" alt="" object-fit="contain" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/23000250_2054315074845402_1517203742029399856_o.jpg?w=1597&;ssl=1 1597w, https://i0.wp.com/tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/23000250_2054315074845402_1517203742029399856_o.jpg?resize=720%2C721&;ssl=1 720w, https://i0.wp.com/tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/23000250_2054315074845402_1517203742029399856_o.jpg?resize=32%2C32&;ssl=1 32w, https://i0.wp.com/tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/23000250_2054315074845402_1517203742029399856_o.jpg?resize=50%2C50&;ssl=1 50w, https://i0.wp.com/tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/23000250_2054315074845402_1517203742029399856_o.jpg?resize=64%2C64&;ssl=1 64w, https://i0.wp.com/tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/23000250_2054315074845402_1517203742029399856_o.jpg?resize=96%2C96&;ssl=1 96w, https://i0.wp.com/tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/23000250_2054315074845402_1517203742029399856_o.jpg?resize=128%2C128&;ssl=1 128w, https://i0.wp.com/tulanemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/23000250_2054315074845402_1517203742029399856_o.jpg?w=1280&;ssl=1 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" /><figcaption class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_caption gallery-caption">My secret is that I am a survivor of trauma. My secret is that there have been days when I feel like everything is spiraling out of my control as I struggle desperately to cling to some semblance of autonomy. My secret is that I have moments when I feels like I cannot handle it all and want to give up, whether on myself or on my goals. My secret is that I sometimes feel weak, powerless, terrified of the vast unknown and all that it holds. But my other secret is that I am resilient. My secret is that I will not stop pushing myself and believing in myself because I know the one person who ultimately has control over my fate is me. My secret is that I am constantly striving to expand my sense of self and learn how to best take care of my needs. My secret is that I’m proud of the progress I’ve made in reclaiming my life. My secret is that when I get knocked down I will continue to get the hell back up again, no matter how long it takes. So to the me of yesterday, the me full of fears and doubts and insecurities and vulnerabilities, look toward the me of tomorrow, the me whose strength will eventually accomplish and achieve and succeed. #RawMovement</figcaption></figure></div></amp-carousel><a aria-label="Pause Slideshow" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-pause" role="button" on="tap:wp-block-jetpack-slideshow__amp-carousel__1.toggleAutoplay(toggleOn=false),wp-block-jetpack-slideshow__1.toggleClass(class=wp-block-jetpack-slideshow__autoplay-playing,force=false)"></a><a aria-label="Play Slideshow" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_button-play" role="button" on="tap:wp-block-jetpack-slideshow__amp-carousel__1.toggleAutoplay(toggleOn=true),wp-block-jetpack-slideshow__1.toggleClass(class=wp-block-jetpack-slideshow__autoplay-playing,force=true)"></a><amp-selector id="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow__amp-pagination__1" class="wp-block-jetpack-slideshow_pagination swiper-pagination swiper-pagination-custom amp-pagination" on="select:wp-block-jetpack-slideshow__amp-carousel__1.goToSlide(index=event.targetOption)" layout="container"><button option="0" class="swiper-pagination-bullet" tabindex="0" role="button" aria-label="Go to slide 1" selected></button><button option="1" class="swiper-pagination-bullet" tabindex="0" role="button" aria-label="Go to slide 2" ></button><button option="2" class="swiper-pagination-bullet" tabindex="0" role="button" aria-label="Go to slide 3" ></button></amp-selector></div></div>
<p>Read their full story here: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mysecretisraw/?ref=br_rs">Raw</a></p>
<p>INSTAGRAM: @mysecretis_raw</p>
<p> ;</p>
<p> ;</p>
 <!-- WP Biographia v4.0.0 -->
<div class="wp-biographia-container-top" style="background-color: #FFEAA8; border-top: 4px solid #000000;"><div class="wp-biographia-pic" style="height:100px; width:100px;"><img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/54b2e04f7622b31dc7684aff1699af4aad62bf10c06672996b99e2bbd60621e5?s=100&#038;d=wp_user_avatar&#038;r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/54b2e04f7622b31dc7684aff1699af4aad62bf10c06672996b99e2bbd60621e5?s=200&#038;d=wp_user_avatar&#038;r=g 2x' class='wp-biographia-avatar avatar-100 photo' height='100' width='100' /></div><div class="wp-biographia-text"><h3>About <a href="https://tulanemagazine.com/author/cassidyoberleitner/" title="Cassidy Oberleitner">Cassidy Oberleitner</a></h3><p></p><div class="wp-biographia-links"><small><ul class="wp-biographia-list wp-biographia-list-text"><li><a href="mailto:&#99;&#111;be&#114;le&#105;&#64;&#116;ula&#110;e.edu" target="_self" title="Send Cassidy Oberleitner Mail" class="wp-biographia-link-text">Mail</a></li> | <li><a href="https://tulanemagazine.com/author/cassidyoberleitner/" target="_self" title="More Posts By Cassidy Oberleitner" class="wp-biographia-link-text">More Posts(2)</a></li></ul></small></div></div></div><!-- WP Biographia v4.0.0 -->

The Raw Movement
