Member-only story
Why I Say I Am Fine When I Am Not
I smile outside. Inside, I am tired.
After reading this, you will be able to stop pretending you are okay, understand why you hide your pain, and give yourself permission to be honest.
The Automatic Lie
When someone asks, how are you, I say, I am fine. It comes out automatically. Like my mouth knows the answer before my heart can speak.
But inside, I am not fine. I am tired. I am overthinking. I am missing someone. I am fighting battles nobody can see.
Why We Hide The Truth
Why do we lie? Because saying the truth takes time. And people do not really have time. They ask how are you as a greeting, not as a question. They want a short answer, not a real one.
So we smile. We say, I am good. And we keep walking with a heavy heart.
What Strength Really Means
I used to think being strong means not crying. Not needing anyone. Handling everything alone. But now I know, real strength is saying, I am not okay today. And still showing up.
Pretending to be fine does not make the pain go away. It just makes us feel more alone. Because when we hide, people think we do not need help. And then no one helps.
