Sad to say but undeniably true: We do not wake up each morning feeling terrific. Sure, some days we do and we are rarin’ to go and those days are FABULOUS! But other days we may start with a baseline of sadness, or fear, or brokenheartedness, or doubt, or despair. Or wishing things were different, or the way they used to be, or the way we *thought* they’d be by now. Or we wake with a migraine, or PMS, or crippling anxiety, or even just an old-fashioned bad attitude.
And on those days when we know our head space isn’t all that pretty, or that we’re not at our best, it’s okay to admit it. Talk about it. And talk about why.
Imagine trying to throw some mascara and lipstick on this half dead flower and throwing it back out into the heat. Think it would thrive without anyone noticing that it’s not well? Ummm, no. No freaking way.
And yet we force ourselves there, into that impossible space, trying to pretend that nothing’s wrong, that we got it, that we’re fine. But, as you well know: SOMETIMES WE’RE NOT FINE.
I’m feeling great today, but I spent plenty of mornings standing in front of my fridge, eating ice cream out of the container – with coat on and bag over shoulder and car keys in hand – because I didn’t want to go to a work I was drowning in. Or stuck in bed with covers over head unable to stop crying. Or locked in the bathroom at a good friend’s party, bawling and scared, because an inexplicable anxiety rooted me there. Or constantly ready for the next glass of wine, to soothe something I didn’t even realize needed soothing.
To have those moments and still profess to be okay is like walking around with an arrow shot through your head but claiming to be fine – even though everyone can see beyond clearly what you refuse to admit: YOU’RE NOT FINE.
It is not a sign of weakness to reveal your humanity and ask for help when you need it. On the contrary. It is NOBLE. It is BRAVE. And, sometimes, it is LIFE-SAVING. Please don’t ignore the signs of suffering. Don’t ignore yourself. Be loving enough to acknowledge your pain… and brave enough to do something about it.
Because you are not stuck.
I love you.
