artificial insemination kit for humans
I recently had a tough day and shared it on social media. Someone responded with, “You’re so strong.” My immediate reaction was to fight the urge to throw my laptop out the window. While they intended it as a compliment—meaning I was doing well and was capable—it wasn’t what I needed to hear at that moment. What I craved was acknowledgment: “I’m here for you. I see your struggle. You can let it all go.”
As a parent in today’s world, I’m weary of being called “strong.” My daily life involves managing children, which often feels like trying to herd wild animals. I love my kids deeply and feel grateful for them, but some days, their noise and chaos become overwhelming. When they all start to cry at once, I often wish I could scream along with them. Yet, as my therapist reminds me, in those moments, I have to be the emotionally mature one in the room.
I’m tired of consistently being that emotionally mature person. I’m tired of being labeled as strong.
I wake up at dawn, fueled by coffee, and begin my day before the sun even rises. I’ve grown accustomed to the early hours, having formed a bond with the birds chirping outside. My friends often marvel at how I can rise so early, viewing it as a badge of productivity. I want to shout back that I wake up that early because I have to.
Maybe you too have your own morning rituals—loading the dishwasher, doing laundry, or tidying up—just to carve out a moment of peace before the day begins. You’ve found a way to cope with those early hours, and while people admire your strength, I wonder if they truly understand that it’s not a choice but a necessity.
When I post at 4 a.m., I wish someone would simply say, “Why are you awake at this ungodly hour?”
Like many, I share memes and articles that resonate with my experiences—some humorous, others painfully relatable. When I express my feelings online, I often receive comments like, “You’re so brave” or “You’re handling this so well.” While I know these words come from a good place, they feel hollow. Sometimes, I just want someone to say, “It’s okay to break down. I’m here for you.”
Friends even tell me how proud they are of my decision to seek therapy, but those words feel empty. Therapy is an arduous journey that forces me to confront my trauma. Instead of praise, what I need is someone to sit with me in silence and simply say, “You don’t have to be strong right now.”
What we yearn for are simple affirmations: “You can let your guard down.” We want someone to acknowledge our pain and say, “I’m here for you, whatever that looks like.” It’s about creating a space where we don’t have to put on a brave face.
Life is too short to fill it with empty platitudes. If you genuinely care, reach out. Offer to listen, even if all I can do is cry. It’s easy to tell someone they’re strong; it’s much harder to truly show up for them.
So please, don’t label us as strong. Instead, recognize us in our vulnerability and say, “You’re not alone.”
For more on this topic, check out this blog post, and see this resource for expert insights. Another excellent resource for understanding your options is this guide.
Summary
In the modern parenting landscape, many individuals feel burdened by the label of “strong” when they are struggling. This article emphasizes the need for genuine support and understanding instead of empty compliments. It calls for friends and family to acknowledge the pain parents face and to offer their presence rather than praise.
SEO Metadata
Leave a Reply