Cliché as it might sound, this picture my friend drew speaks more than the million words I write. A generous gift he gave me, to support my work in BEARAPY, and to mark World Mental Health Day today.
Similar to many, I used to put up this “professional” mask – and got reprimanded for when I express any anger, sadness, frustration, confusion, or doubt (still get this actually). One must be seen to be successful, occasionally humble bragging with being too busy, thereby inferring one’s indispensability to the world. One must also be seen as having their shit together, on top of things, and still able to juggle crying babies, look impeccably manicured, plastered with a loving smile.
Such expectations burden us. Such perceived expectations overwhelm us. Such self-induced pressure can break us.
I broke. I defragmented. I regrouped.
