01/10/2024
An open letter to those who are tired of being strong:
People believe you are strong. It’s because you face every challenge in silence. No one sees you break down, and you’ve learned how to hide your struggles from the world. You can still manage to laugh, as if nothing is wrong, but the truth is that your heart feels heavy. You are the one who gives advice, the one people turn to when they need comfort, even though you also need what you are giving.
They say you are strong. It’s because you never show signs of weakness. Even though you have a lot of problems, you remain calm. No one catches you lost in thought, overwhelmed by everything you are going through.
They say you are strong, but the truth is, no one ever asks if you are really okay. You also long for conversations wherein you can be vulnerable about your sadness and fears and not just about happiness and success. You want someone to see the sadness you hide behind your wide smiles and is willing to wait until you can finally accumulate enough courage to share. They say you are strong, but the truth is, you are also scared and sad. Everything feels like crumbling, and you are afraid that even the last brick of hope you are holding onto will also fall apart. Sending hugs. I hope you’ll get through it.
-Franz Mherryon
