Meet Nija Spencer

We were lucky to catch up with Nija Spencer recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nija , we are so appreciative of you taking the time to open up about the extremely important, about personal, topic of mental health. Can you talk to us about your journey and how you were able to overcome the challenges related to mental issues? For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.
My mental health had always been an issue since I was a child. I just wasn’t aware of it until I became an adult. I became depressed in 2021 and it honestly changed my life forever. I was sad. I barely got out of bed. I slept a lot. I was barely eating or had an appetite. It was bad. But one day I literally said “I’m tired of being sad. I have to make it through this.” It was easier said than done but one thing about me is if I say I’m going to do something I’m gonna do it. I may not know how but I always figure it out in the end. I gave myself the self proclaimed title “Ms. Make It Happen” because I can make something out of nothing and I make it happen every time. Once I started seeing a therapist on campus all of that pain, anger and hurt was released. I saw the light at the end of my tunnel, something I couldn’t see before because my world was so dark. I highly recommend anyone suffering from any kind of mental illness to go to therapy. It’s life changing. You start to heal. Healing hurts and if no one tells you I will because it’s true. Healing is dealing with the good, bad and ugly just like therapy. You have to accept every aspect otherwise you’ll be in pain forever. Now that I’m a few years older, I’m more self aware. I can recognize when my mental is declining. I can recognize when I’m triggered. Being self aware now allows me to make sure that I am my first priority.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My name is Nija but on social media I am known as “Nyethebrat”. I am a 25 year old serial entrepreneur and influencer. I’m a college student majoring in psychology with a minor in sociology at Rowan University. I am dropping my first self care journal called B!H#%, Relax Okay. By the time this article is posted it will be available on my website along with other books I’m publishing. If you know me personally or have been following me on social media for a while the verbiage, the tone, the energy is all me on paper. Think of me being on your shoulder as you write in it. The purpose of the journal is to put your mind at ease as it allows you to engage in activities, exercises and prompts that are meant to relax you

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three qualities that were most impactful in my journey are strength, kindness and empathy. Advice that I have for people early in their journey is that you may be the strongest person you know but it’s okay to not be strong some days. There are days where I am at my lowest. I have my days where I get lazy. I have my days when I’m super emotional. Take the time you need to deal with whatever it is because without you who can do what you do? Who can be you and fill your shoes? We need you HERE. We need you to be PRESENT. But most importantly we need you to know that you are loved. We are here for you. Take care of you! Kindness goes such a long way too. You can say a couple words that can brighten somebody’s entire day. The world is already rough and confusing out here. We’re all exhausted and anxious. Be kind to people. You don’t know what anybody’s going through. Be a light to somebody that may need it. You never know when somebody may need to be a light for you. Being an empath isn’t for everybody. It’s either in you or it’s not. It’s a gift and a curse. Sometimes when your too empathetic you or people may forget to be empathetic towards you when it’s your turn. Put yourself first always but don’t ever dim your light because someone else may need yours. Regardless of the situation for either party you both matter. You both deserve better and you both deserve to be the happiest you can be

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
The current challenge I’m currently facing is ME vs. ME! The old me is trying to revert back to old habits, habits that aren’t good for me. As I’m currently evolving as the new me at 25 I’m honestly flourishing and we’re only 3 weeks into the New Year. I took a leap of faith and began to walk into my purpose of inspiring others and being that guidance we all need. Blessing after blessing honestly and I am so thankful. I don’t live in fear anymore because what do I have to be fearful of? I’m started my life over so many times in my early 20s despite me being 25 currently. So why be fearful now when fear has never stopped me? I will always love who I once was but it’s time for me to let go. It’s time for me to evolve and become the best version of myself while simultaneously helping others do the same. Change is hard when you’re so used to doing the same thing over and over again but I’m tired of the same results. When you want better you do better and I’m doing and feeling exactly that

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