Sometimes we think of a low mood as a trap with no way out. But if our minds can shift from a good mood to a low one, that same capacity for change works in reverse. When we recognize the feeling we’re in for what it is, simply a passing state of mind rather than the truth of our circumstances, we open the door to a new experience. That understanding does not erase pain, but it does offer something people may not feel they have in a low moment: options. Giving ourselves grace starts feeling like a choice we are free to make.
This conversation is for anyone who has struggled, anyone who has lost someone, and anyone who wants a deeper understanding of how the mind works when things feel hardest. Our hope is that it offers a measure of comfort, and a reminder that things can look different in any moment.
If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available by call or text, 24/7.
#SHARETHESPARK
Marketing & Public Relations Coordinator
Makayla Wheeldon is the Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator at The SPARK Initiative, where she works to expand the organization’s reach through creative content, strategic outreach, and community engagement. She holds a degree in Communications and Psychology from the University of Central Florida and spent three years teaching Kindergarten and 1st Grade for Hillsborough County Public Schools — an experience that deepened her understanding of students’ diverse needs and inspired her to pursue broader impact beyond the classroom. Makayla is passionate about empowering youth to regulate their emotions through the understanding that feelings are not permanent. In her role at Spark, she leads efforts to strengthen brand visibility, build meaningful partnerships, and represent the organization across the mental health and education sectors — ensuring the message of innate resilience resonates with as many people as possible.