The day I finally admitted I wasn’t okay was the day my life began to transform
Look, I get it. You’re scrolling through Medium right now, probably thinking “great, another mental health piece.” Trust me, I was that person too. The eye-roller. The “I’m totally fine” warrior. The “mental health talk is for other people” champion.
Until I wasn’t.
The Breaking Point Nobody Talks About
It wasn’t a dramatic movie-worthy breakdown. No screaming into pillows or throwing plates against walls (though honestly, that might have helped). It was a Tuesday afternoon, and I was staring at my fourth cup of coffee, trying to convince myself that the constant knot in my stomach was “just stress.”
Spoiler alert: It wasn’t just stress.
The Uncomfortable Truth About Being ‘Fine’
Here’s what nobody tells you about pretending to be okay:
It’s exhausting AF
It makes you a professional liar (mostly to yourself)
It turns you into a time bomb of unprocessed emotions
And the worst part? We’re all doing it. Right now, someone in your Instagram feed is posting #blessed while having a panic attack in their bathroom.
What Actually Happened When I Dropped the Act
- I lost some friends (plot twist: this was actually good)
- Turns out, some people really prefer the fake-fine version of you
- The real ones stuck around and got closer
2. Work got weird (then better)
- Yes, I cried in a Zoom meeting
- No, the world didn’t end
- My team actually became more human
3. My Instagram stories got boring
- Fewer fancy brunches
- More honest conversations
- Surprisingly, more engagement (who knew?)
The Plot Twist Nobody Expects
The moment you stop pretending you’re fine, something magical happens: you start meeting other people who are also not fine. It’s like joining a secret club, except it’s not actually secret — we’ve just been conditioned to pretend it doesn’t exist.
The Real Talk Section
Let’s be honest about what “not being fine” actually looks like:
Sometimes it’s canceling plans because your anxiety is through the roof
Sometimes it’s ugly-crying while watching dog videos
Sometimes it’s messaging your therapist “I know it’s midnight but…”
And guess what? That’s actually… fine.
The Part Where I Tell You What Helped (No BS)
- Therapy (duh, but wait for it…)
- Found mine through BetterHelp after 3 fails
- Yes, it’s expensive
- Yes, it’s worth eating ramen for
2. The “Stupid Simple” Stuff That Actually Works
- Morning walks (not runs, calm down)
- Writing garbage in a journal
- Telling people “I’m not okay today”
3. The Uncomfortable Changes
- Setting boundaries (still feels like being a jerk)
- Unfollowing the “perfect life” accounts
- Learning to sit with discomfort
The Plot Twist That Changed Everything
Here’s the thing nobody tells you: the moment you stop pretending to be fine, you actually start getting better. Not Instagram-perfect better. Not “I’m blessed” better. Real better. Messy better. Human better.
Where I’m At Now (The Real Version)
Am I “cured”? LOL, no. But I’m real. Some days I’m a productivity machine, others I’m a human blanket burrito. And for the first time in my life, both versions are equally valid.
The Call to Action (Because Every Medium Article Needs One)
If you’re reading this and thinking “this isn’t me,” cool. Bookmark it for later. But if something in your gut twinged while reading this, if you felt seen in a way that’s both comforting and uncomfortable, maybe it’s time.
Time to stop being “fine.”
Time to be real.
Time to join the club of imperfect humans who are actually trying to get better.
Because trust me, it’s way better over here.
P.S. If you’re thinking about starting therapy but keep putting it off, this is your sign. Do it. Future you will thank present you.
P.P.S. Yes, I still have bad days. I just don’t pretend they’re good anymore.