Signs You Are Emotionally Stronger Than You Think
When we cry at a commercial, we call ourselves weak. When we struggle to make a decision, we call ourselves indecisive. When we feel overwhelmed by circumstances, we call ourselves fragile. When we need help, we call ourselves burdens. When we set a boundary and feel guilty about it, we call ourselves selfish. We have inherited a cultural definition of emotional strength that is not only inaccurate but actively harmful. We have been taught that strength is the absence of struggle a state of unshakeable calm, perpetual confidence, and effortless resilience. By this definition, no human being has ever been emotionally strong. It is a standard designed to make us feel perpetually inadequate. The truth is that emotional strength is almost invisible, especially to the person who possesses it. It does not announce itself with trumpets and declarations. It whispers in the background of your most difficult moments, keeping you upright when you're convinced, you're about to collapse. It...