I’m Tired of Being the Strong One

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately.

People call you strong for so long that eventually everyone just assumes you’re fine.

And most of the time, you probably are.

You figure things out. You handle what needs to be handled. You keep moving because there usually isn’t another option.

But there are days when I really don’t want to be the one who knows what to do.

I want somebody else to make the call.

I want to hear, “Don’t worry about it. I’ve got this.”

That sounds so small when I write it, but I think that’s part of what makes it hit.

When you’re used to being dependable, people stop seeing the effort behind it.

They just see the result.

You showed up and got it done.

You kept everything from falling apart.

So nobody really thinks to ask what it cost you.

And if I’m being real, I don’t always ask myself either.

I just keep going until I notice I’m irritated by little things, quieter than usual, or completely drained for no obvious reason.

Then it hits me.

There was a reason.

I’ve been carrying too much for too long and acting like it was normal.

I don’t want to stop being someone people can count on.

I just don’t want that to mean I’m always the one carrying the weight.

At some point, being strong started feeling less like a compliment and more like a job I never agreed to.