It’s Okay to Not Be Okay

Hello, friend.Welcome back to Radiant Rise.I’m so glad you’re here.Today’s episode is one I think almost everyone can relate to because it revolves around a question we hear all the time…“How are you?”And how many times have we answered…“I’m fine.”Even when we weren’t.Somewhere along the way, many of us learned that struggling should be hidden.We smile through the pain.We tell everyone we’re okay.We keep working.We keep showing up.We keep taking care of everyone else.And then we wonder why we’re exhausted.Not just physically…Emotionally.Mentally.Spiritually.Pretending takes energy.Sometimes more energy than simply being honest.There have been so many moments in my life when someone asked how I was doing…And I automatically answered…“I’m fine.”Not because I was.But because I didn’t know how to explain everything.How do you explain chronic pain?How do you explain emotional exhaustion?How do you explain grief?How do you explain a battle that has no visible scars?Sometimes “I’m fine” felt easier.But over time, I realized something.Every time I hid my struggles…I felt a little more alone.Healing hasn’t taught me to be strong all the time.It’s taught me that honesty is strength.Sometimes courage looks like saying…“Today is hard.”“I need to rest.”“I’m overwhelmed.”“I need help.”Those words don’t make us weak.They make us human.Maybe today…You’re not okay.Maybe you’re overwhelmed.Maybe you’re exhausted.Maybe you’re grieving.Maybe you’re carrying something nobody else knows about.If that’s you…I want you to hear this.You don’t have to earn your worth by pretending you’re okay.You are worthy of compassion on your hardest days.Not just your best ones.Before we end today’s episode, I want to leave you with this reminder.It’s okay to not be okay.It’s okay to ask for help.It’s okay to rest.It’s okay to feel.And it’s okay if your healing doesn’t happen overnight.Take one step.One breath.One moment at a time.Thank you for spending this time with me.Until next time…Be gentle with yourself.Give yourself grace.And remember…You never have to face life’s invisible battles alone. Get full access to Radiant Rise | Michelle Baldwin at radiantrisemystory.substack.com/subscribe