BOCA RATON — What does a typical morning look like for a 23-year-old with a social media following of more than 3 million people?
Not scrolling. At least that's the case for Boca Raton native Lexi Hidalgo.
"Spend that time individually," Hidalgo said. "Spend that time practicing your faith, your religion, whatever you do, but not consuming other people."
Do the same before bed, she advises.
In the past four years, Hidalgo has amassed a following of 2.6 million on TikTok alone, appealing quite effortlessly to women from their young teenage years to their early thirties. She shares it almost all with them — sunrise dips in the ocean, intimate solo morning chats over coffee, her journey as a yogi, volunteer shifts at the local animal shelter and, most recently, a month-long mission to make outfits out of pieces she's stopped wearing in her closet.
But she gets incredibly vulnerable with those followers, too, opening up about everything from therapy to how she takes care of herself mentally. Though maybe not her intention at first, Hidalgo has created a space where her viewers, whom she treats as close friends, feel safe, understood and comfortable enough to offer their own input on shared experiences like dealing with social anxiety.
It's that openness that earned her an invitation to the White House in August to speak on mental health in social media, and, about a week before then, to moderate at youth mental health nonprofit Active Minds' summer conference, also in Washington, D.C.
"I wanted to say no so badly, just because I was so terrified," Hidalgo said, thinking back on the Active Minds invite to D.C. "But I knew in my heart that it was the right thing to do. I wanted to lead by example and honestly face my fears and do essentially what scares me."
Later that month, Hidalgo was asked if she'd be an ambassador for Active Minds. It's the largest mental health nonprofit in the country.
The collaboration, Hidalgo said, will continue the conversation around mental health and taking the stigma away from it. Her hope is to bring branches of the nonprofit to local college campuses, like Florida Atlantic University's.
"I want to do what I can to continue sharing Active Minds and keeping the conversation going about mental health and making it something that's comfortable and easy," Hidalgo said, "even though it's such a heavy topic, finding a way to at least lift the anxiety about speaking about it off of some people's shoulders, and just being open and real about all the things that we face."
Mental health is a significant concern among young adults
A recent survey of U.S. college and university students conducted by the nonprofit found that nearly two-thirds, or 64%, of them reported feeling lonely, and more than half were concerned about their friends' mental health. And with youth suicide rates on the rise, Active Minds, according to a release, aims to broaden the conversation about mental health and create lasting change in the way its discussed, cared for and valued.
As radiantly as she shares the trips she takes or invites followers to "get ready" with her, Hidalgo often addresses facing ones fears and chasing dreams on her platform.
"But I struggle so hard with doing that myself," she said.
So, she journals.
"When we are in these darker spaces, our brain is so overwhelmed with so many different situations, ideas, fears, insecurities," Hidalgo said. "Our brain gets so consumed by everything that could go wrong, and we kind of forget to just take a zoom out. I like pretending I'm a drone and I'm just zooming out away from myself."
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In doing so, she can see the bigger picture and recognize the blessings still around her she said. Stepping outside and breathing helps, too.
"In your room, you feel like you take up a lot of space and everything feels really big and really intense," Hidalgo said. "Going outside and taking a look around at the nature, the bugs, the lizards, the clouds, the sun, feeling the breeze, all of those silly little things that we don't pay that much attention to — once we start paying a little bit more attention to them, I think it really helps us become present. It helps us get past the moment that we're in, sometimes that's the only thing you can do."
'The Moments Podcast' is a collection of discussions on ups and downs of youths
In 2021, Hidalgo launched "The Moments Podcast," a collection of 30-minute to hourlong discussions delving into the ups and downs of young adult life. Shortly after, the podcast rose to the top of charts, debuting at No. 4 on Spotify and maintaining a spot a spot in the "Top 10" for several weeks.
In April, her guided journal was published after about two and a half years of planning. It offers affirmations and prompts to anyone beginning journaling, but could also be filled out by somebody who's journaled their whole life, Hidalgo said. It's meant to get people to know themselves better.
"Lexi has a remarkable ability to connect with young people and make them feel seen and understood," Active Minds Founder Alison Malmon said. "Her heartfelt approach and commitment to empowering others will be an important asset as we work together to create a culture of mental well-being and support for youth nationwide. We’re eager to see the difference she’ll make in inspiring young people to take charge of their mental health."
Jasmine Fernández is a journalist covering Delray Beach and Boca Raton for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach heratjfernandez@pbpost.comand follow heron X (formerly Twitter) at@jasminefernandz. Help support our work.Subscribe today.
