Why We Struggle to Say “I’m Not Okay”

How often do you answer “I’m fine” when someone asks how you are, even when you’re not? When speaking to so many of my clients, they have somewhere along the way, learnt to keep their struggles to themselves. Lots of people seem to think they have to ‘be strong’ or they ‘don’t want to be a burden’.

When we pretend to be okay, it doesn’t make our feelings go away and often it can leave us feeling even worse or lonely.

Being honest about how you feel doesn’t mean you have to share everything with everyone. It could just be opening up to one trusted person, or even simply admitting it to yourself. Saying, “I’m having a tough day” can feel like a small weight lifting off your shoulders.

It takes courage to be real and honest about your feelings. But in being honest, we give others permission to do the same and that’s how genuine connection and support begins.

You don’t have to always be fine, we aren’t robots after all! It’s part of being a human being to struggle, and you don’t have to do it alone.