Homemade Acne: How to Become Your Own Biggest Fan: The Verywell Mind Podcast

How to Become Your Own Biggest Fan With Actress KJ Smith

Amy Morin, LCSW
Verywell Mind Editor-in-Chief

On today's episode, I talk with actress KJ Smith. She shares the story of how she got started by moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting, landing appearances in a variety of shows over the years, and working her way into bigger roles.

Currently, she has a lead role in the BET comedy-drama series "Sistas" and she is also going to star in the upcoming season of Starz' "Power Book III: Raising Kainan."

She isn't shy about talking about her mental health. She has become an advocate for therapy and self-care.

Why KJ Smith Is Mentally Strong

KJ says she has faced some ups and downs in her career and she has learned that it's important to become her own biggest fan.

Her rise to fame has taught her a lot about herself, how important it is to have boundaries, and be her authentic self.

She is very open about her struggles with mental health and the steps she is taking to stay mentally strong.

When I was in school, you only had three people telling you what's cool and what to do and what to wear and how to be and what not to do. Now people have 7 billion people influencing their decisions, influencing their ears and their brain and their thoughts."

— KJ Smith

What You'll Hear on the Show

How KJ learned to be comfortable with her emotions
What happens when other people aren't comfortable with her emotional expressions
How she learned to become her own biggest fan
How she fills her mind with helpful, positive things
The modifications she makes to her environment that help her stay mentally healthy
How she establishes boundaries with people
How she got through several bouts of depression
How she uses music to manage her mood
How she uses social media in a healthy way
How she chooses to give other people grace
How to tune out the noise around you when you're trying to make decisions

What You'll Learn About Mental Health and Mental Strength

KJ talks about having bouts of depression. Periods of depression can be common. Some people have serious depressive episodes, others have mild depressive episodes.

Some people get better without professional help. Others require treatment, like medication or therapy, to feel better.

Depressive episodes aren't a sign of weakness. Despite your best efforts, they may still happen to you from time to time. This may stem from your brain chemistry or it may depend on environmental factors.

Building mental strength may help prevent some depressive episodes but not all. Feeling depressed isn't a sign of weakness. It can happen to anyone.