It’s Okay If All You Did Today Was Get By

It’s okay if all you did today was open your eyes. It’s okay if all you did today was drag yourself from the bed to the fridge to the bathroom—if that.

It’s okay if you didn’t reply to your texts or respond to emails. Sometimes the only thing you can do is get by.

It’s okay if today you feel hopeless. If you have no words to express the pain you feel inside.

Sometimes the only thing that feels good is sinking into the bed. It’s the only thing that soothes your despair.

Maybe you reflected on the past. Maybe you thought about how, given a chance, you would do things differently. Maybe you’re full of regret. Maybe you’re full of rage from how life seems to provide you with a never-ending cycle of problems. Maybe you feel defeated, utterly overcome.

You’re allowed to express your sorrow without guilt or shame. Right now, you don’t have to justify how you feel. You don’t have to pretend to be okay. You don’t have to hold yourself together for the sake of being strong. You don’t have to smile. You don’t have to fake happiness. You’re allowed to cry. You’re allowed to retreat. You’re allowed to scream out. You’re allowed to be precisely yourself because it’s just what you need. You need to mourn. It’s alright if you feel sorry for yourself. It’s not always going to look pretty. It’s not always going to be comfortable. Sometimes the pain will come unexpectedly, just as you thought you’d already recovered.

I’m not here to rush you. I’m not here to tell you how you should act. I’m not here to tell you why you should look on the bright side or look at someone who has it worse. I’m not here to tell you you’re being dramatic or getting out of hand. I’m not here to give advice or fix things. I’m not here to tell you how long it should take or about the progress you should be making.

I’m here to hold space for you. I’m here to say I’m sorry for those who never told you. I’m here to sit in the silence with you. I’m here to listen to your story. I’m here to remind you that you’re not alone. I’m here with no judgment, no expectation, just a box of chocolates, a movie, and dry humor.

It’s okay if all you did today was get by.