The Myth of Being “Fine”

You say you’re doing fine. There’s so much on your plate: deadlines, errands, and messages waiting for your response. It can feel like falling apart isn’t an option right now.

But sometimes, “fine” can become a mask we wear for so long that we forget what’s underneath. You keep pushing through, maybe even speeding up. You respond to emails while cooking, keep a podcast on to drown out your racing thoughts, and manage a smile, even when your chest feels tight. By the end of the day, you might feel efficient yet a bit numb.

It’s important to remember that your body is holding onto what you might be trying to ignore. The tension in your shoulders, the restless sleep, and the moments of frustration are your body’s way of communicating with you. There’s a quiet voice inside urging you to pay attention: This doesn’t feel right.

What if you took a moment to pause? Not indefinitely, just long enough to catch your breath. Allow yourself to be still for a little while. Feel the air on your skin. Ground your feet beneath you. Unclench your jaw and let whatever feelings arise come to the surface, no matter what they are.

There is power when you check in with yourself. Pushing through may not solve anything, but can bury your feelings even deeper. You don’t need to justify why you feel off when everything seems fine from the outside. There’s no need to turn this moment into a lesson or an epiphany.

You need a little quiet, just enough to reconnect with what it feels like to be you again. That’s where the shift truly starts, not in needing to fix everything, but in allowing yourself to feel something. And that’s more than enough.