Inspiring story on mental health: “I have the right people around me always and that’s where I stay when people wanna be shitty” - How Brittany Mahomes learned to protect her peace from social media negativity

For Brittany Mahomes, being in the public eye has never meant escaping criticism. In April 2022, the entrepreneur opened up about the emotional toll of online negativity during an Instagram Q&A with followers. Her answer offered a candid look at how she dealt with harsh comments, why she stepped back from social media and how the people closest to her became an important source of stability.Brittany Mahomes opened up about mental health and social media pressureThe comments came during an Instagram Q&A in April 2022, when Brittany was still publicly known as Brittany Matthews. A follower asked her how she continued to show “grace in such a hateful world.” Rather than giving a polished response, she acknowledged that handling constant criticism had taken time.Her answer showed that protecting mental well-being did not come easily. She said she had learned to separate what happened online from the life she experienced away from the screen.Brittany wrote:“Honestly, I have no other choice! I would never let people on the internet destroy my peace or effect [sic] my life.”That sentence captured the central idea behind her response. She did not claim that criticism never affected her. Instead, she admitted that learning how to deal with it had been a process.“BUT. It’s been hard, it took time to learn this and still learning at times.”That admission made her message more personal. Social media can make criticism feel constant because there is no clear boundary between public attention and private life. For someone connected to one of the NFL's biggest stars, that pressure can become even harder to escape.Reports from the time confirmed that her remarks were made through Instagram Stories during a fan Q&A.Brittany Mahomes explained why she stepped away from social mediaOne of the strongest parts of Brittany's message was her decision to recognize when she needed distance.She explained that the negativity did not remain at the same level every day. Some periods were worse than others, and she said those were the moments when followers would notice less of her online presence.“It’s always gonna be there, at times its [sic] worse then [sic] others & at those times is when you won’t see me on here or the internet.”She then connected that choice to a broader decision to reduce her time on social media.“Hence why I have taken such huge steps away from social media. It’s a toxic and horrible place at times and those are when I say peace out.”The language was direct, but the idea behind it was simple. She was setting a boundary.Instead of treating constant online engagement as something she had to endure, Brittany chose to step away when it became overwhelming. That approach is particularly relevant in an era when public figures can face a stream of reactions within seconds of posting something.Her comments also showed that taking a break was not necessarily a sign of weakness. For Brittany, it was a way of deciding what deserved her attention and what did not.Contemporary reports from April 2022 preserved the same remarks and placed them in the context of her Instagram Q&A about dealing with criticism.Brittany Mahomes credited her support system for helping her find peaceThe most memorable part of Brittany's response came when she shifted the focus away from social media and toward her life offline.“My world outside of social media is great. I have the right people around me always and that’s where I stay when people on here wanna be sh-tty. Not my problem, bye.”That statement reveals why her support system mattered so much to her.When online attention becomes loud, a strong personal circle can provide something the internet cannot: perspective. Friends and family know the person behind the public image. They are also less likely to judge someone's entire life based on one photograph, comment or moment.Brittany's message was not about convincing every critic to change their opinion. It was about refusing to allow those opinions to control her private life.That distinction matters. Public figures often cannot prevent people from talking about them. What they can control is how much space those voices receive in their own lives.Her decision to focus on the people around her reflected that mindset.Brittany Mahomes turned criticism into a lesson about boundariesBrittany's comments came at a time when she was frequently discussed online because of her relationship with Patrick Mahomes and her own growing public profile. As the wife of an NFL superstar, she had become a familiar figure around the Kansas City Chiefs and on social media.That visibility brought attention, but it also brought scrutiny.Her response offered a glimpse into the less glamorous side of that visibility. Behind the photographs, celebrations and public appearances was someone learning how to manage an environment where opinions could arrive from thousands of strangers.Years later, the comments continue to be referenced because their core message remains familiar: protecting your peace sometimes means knowing when to leave the conversation.Brittany did not suggest that she had mastered the process completely. In fact, she openly said she was “still learning.” That may be the most relatable part of her message.Mental well-being does not always come from finding one perfect solution. Sometimes it comes from making smaller choices repeatedly. Take a break. Spend time with people you trust. Stop reading every comment. Remember that an online opinion does not define your real life.For Brittany, that meant creating distance from the noise and returning to the people and places that made her feel grounded.Her April 2022 Instagram message therefore became more than a response to one follower's question. It was a snapshot of how a young woman navigating intense public attention tried to draw a line between the world watching her and the world she actually lived in.And perhaps that is why her words still resonate. In a culture that often rewards constant visibility, Brittany Mahomes chose something different: stepping away when she needed to, leaning on the people she trusted and refusing to let strangers online determine the quality of her life.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.