"This smile doesn’t always come naturally or bloom out of happiness and joy.
This smile is sometimes used to keep my weaknesses hidden. To give the illusion that I have it all together, that everything is okay"
.
"I’ve mastered the art of faking it until I make it but it’s hard and I’m tired.
My smile hides the pain, the fear, the insecurities.
My mind is a battle field and I’m at war with this unrelenting bastard named depression
.
I’ve seen too many friends lose the war.
I’ve had times where I have considered letting the bastard win
.
Waving my white flag so it could all end.
It’s heavy to carry what feels like 10,000 pounds of soul crushing doubt around
.
How can you measure up when you can barely stand on your own two feet because this weight keeps kicking out your legs?
I’m “strong” so I keep going.
I smile and say “I got this” but I don’t.
I’ve found my way to keep moving forward to win this fucking war but it takes work every single day.
I wish we talked about it more
.
I wish we could have those deep meaningful conversations with perfect strangers on the street
.
We are all searching for that connection.
To be heard, to be understood.
To feel loved and a part of.
Looking for someone, anyone to let us know that our life matters.
That we don’t have to do this alone
.
If I ask you how you are I want to know how your heart is, what’s bringing you joy or what’s causing you pain
.
I want to know how you feel in the morning or the things you tell yourself when you’re alone
.
I want you to know that I see you and you are important, you are loved and I understand.
Because damnit we’ve been created to love, to heal and to connect
.
Let’s reach out, let’s tear down the walls, remove the stigma that vulnerability is a sign of weakness and embrace that fact that it’s okay to not be okay
.
You never know the impact a simple gesture can have on someone’s life 🙏
-
-
-
📸#1 @rossoscarknight
#2 @marble_rye
#3 @kellytmarie
