Remembering Cheslie Kryst

Last year a day like today, the kind of hell Cheslie must have been going through was really so dark and painful because ten days later, (30^th January 2022) she committed suicide in the most painful manner. She jumped from the top of her building and passed. Her last Instagram entry said, “May this day bring you peace and rest.” Every time I listen to this story, I think my heart breaks 1000 times more.

At face value, she was the most beautiful woman I have ever seen and given how successful she was. I keep asking myself, why would she do that? But then again you can never truly know the demons one is fighting until you are in their shoes, right? Cheslie was miss USA in 2019 and for an outsider at face value, she truly looked like a person who had everything figured out. A person whose dreams are being realized and who has no reason to be hurting herself in such a manner.

However, her mom shed light on the unknown life of Kryst and admitted that when she was 20 years old, Cheslie had tried to commit suicide after dealing which chronic depression for a while. Her mom said, Cheslie was always fighting so much but after that incident, her mom assured her that she will always be there for there. That there is no battle too big for her to fight alone. It is unfortunate that 10 years later, at 30, her demons finally won the battle and she succumbed.

Initially, I was busy saying how selfish it is and how inconsiderate her family she was. However, as I grow older, almost turning 30 myself, I honestly realize how much life requires of you. How much the pressure is especially from within, to be successful and something. And how seductive the thought of letting go and just being free can sometimes become.

Anyway, this week as we remember Cheslie Kryst, all I can say is, please find a reason to live. Don’t give in to the idea of giving up because the people you will leave behind hurt more than you could ever imagine. Give yourself a break, celebrate small wins and stop comparing yourself with others. Why? Because it ain’t worth it. You will just end up giving yourself unnecessary pressure and believe me, you will succumb to that pressure. Take one day at a time, detox from social media as it is the biggest contributor to comparison and try your very best to be happy. Easier said than done but believe me, it is doable!