❤️ Smiling Outside, Storm Inside — A Quiet Mental Battle ❤️
Inspired by @Heather225 May Challenge thread 😊
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"Not every storm is visible…"
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Sometimes, struggles don’t look like struggles.
They look like smiling in conversations… laughing at the right moments… saying "I’m fine" without going deeper (uhm, like me xD)
But inside?
there can be overthinking, heaviness, restlessness or emotions we don’t even know how to explain.
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I’ve learned something quietly… mental health isn’t always abt breaking down.
Sometimes, it’s abt holding urself together <3 when no one notices you’re trying.
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(•̀ᴗ•́)و
For me, it’s not abt fixing everything at once 😊
it’s abt:
• pausing when things feel too much
• sitting with my thoughts instead of running
• reminding myself — this won’t last forever
Some days I manage well ❤️
Some days I don’t … but I still keep going ❤️
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(づ｡◕‿‿◕｡)づ
If you’re reading this…you don’t have to explain everything to be understood.
you don’t have to be strong all the time. just being here, still trying
that’s already strength ^-^
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🌼 Let’s talk:
what’s one small thing that helps u on tough days 😊? or… something you wish ppl understood abt mental health?
drop it below ❤️ let’s build a space where no one feels alone
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@AiluraTheCat
Stop calling yourself weak when you are healing 🩷
That made me cry!
Because it's so true.
It's not simply just having a breakdown.
It's a multitude of things.
We are more than our mental health.
We can get good, we can be down, we can be breaking, we can be trying.
We are a mixture of feelings.
And always trying to navigate.
Trying our best.
Showing up.
Hanging on.
Holding things together.
It doesn't mean we are weak.
It means we are human.
And we are trying our best.
Life weaves.
It ebbs and flows.
Rough with the smooth.
It doesn't define us.
It doesn't block healing.
The way is there, we just need to see it 🩷
@Amanda84
Wow!! That was an amazing comment; thank you so much for sharing it. It sounds like a gentle reminder to me; I needed to hear this, as I've recently been hard on myself, resulting in burnout from getting my work done, disorientation, and an unnecessary breakdown.
But I'm trying to keep myself engaged, rewire my mind, and be optimistic 😊.
@AiluraTheCat
Thank you for this post.
One small thing that helps me on tough days is a cup of coffee and reminding myself of the people who love me more than I love myself at that particular moment. I push myself for my loved ones and suddenly the pain feels insignificant.
@trueconfidant123
That's sounds beautiful, and i can relate this. I'm so glad that you find ur way here 🤗.
You're one of a beautiful soul here <3 thank you so much for sharing sweetie !! Love you 😊
@AiluraTheCat
@AiluraTheCat
My goodness the way you write and color the post is AMAZING! Thank you for writing thissss
@cheerfulKiwi1776
Aww kiwi (つ≧▽≦)つ, thank you so much, glad you liked it 😊!! *Hugs attack* 🤗
Writing down my raw thoughts and feelings somewhere safe like a journal or here at 7cups helps.
My cat comforts and helps me smile so much without even realising.
I try to remind myself how far I've come and it helps me in moving forward 🤍
I wish more people knew about the importance of listening to someone without judgement — It truly makes a huge difference.
It's okay to seek help even when it feels like no one would care or understand.
Your mental health doesn't define you, you're much more than your struggles. You are not alone and you deserve all the love and support in this world <3
@fossilfellow
Beautiful return 😊, it's so good to hear that those things bring you sort of joy !! I could relate most of this, n find it helpful. Thank you so much for sharing n for ur kid words 🤗!
*Hugs*
@AiluraTheCat Thank you! 💝🥰
*Hugs back* 🐾💖
@fossilfellow
🤗💕
@AiluraTheCat
I just wish people understood that we can't help it when we struggle. No matter how much medication or therapy or whatever you have, it's still a struggle at times. Sometimes when I get very happy (like I am now), my brain automatically says, "Are you really happy, or are you manic? Are you happy, or are you lying to yourself? Are you happy for a good, rational reason that isn't a real reason to be happy? Are you REALLY TRULY happy?" like it's such a crime for me to just. be. happy. We don't control this. We can't just turn it off, and we can't just "not think about it". It's hard.
@TovaCares76
Hey tova 😊
This is so relatable, so much!! I feel the same when I find myself happy, i suddenly starts to guilty for being just happy! Like i am acting on a sin, or i feel I am worthless of this emotion, like Questions myself, what made you so happy while u being a loser in all.
I am so glad to hear that you were happy while u wrote this 😊. You deserve more n more happiness. Thank you so much for sharing this with us ❤️.
*Hugs* sending you infinite love n embrace ur way 🤗
@AiluraTheCat
what’s one small thing that helps u on tough days 😊? or… something you wish ppl understood abt mental health?
for us on hard days it just being able to talk to others who truly can relate as we find most the time peer to peer support best due to others can relate understand better and in that offer better support and support others better too
the big thing we wish ones that do not have mental health DXs is that it not a weakness it not being lazy it not a voiding doing things as we heard all them before even if you just put your mind to it and forgot about the past traumas you be much better have better life and be able to work and go out more
for us it both the unseen mental health storms and the unseen physical disabilities that seem to be judged as us being weak and lazy
Hey Stormie 😊,
This is so relatable. Whenever I’m having a bad day or going through a breakdown, I usually look for someone who understands my feelings and situation. Having a conversation and supporting each other really helps me in the best way possible.
But sometimes, I can’t even manage to speak. I’m unable to describe what I’m actually going through. Deep down, I want to cry, but I can’t. I just pretend to be normal, while inside I feel like I’m falling apart.
During those moments, I wish someone would reach out to me and say, “You’re not alone. You don’t have to feel guilty. You’re not wrong. I’m here.” I truly believe that would help me a lot ❤️
And yes, I completely agree, our mental struggles do not define who we are. It’s just a tough phase we’re going through. Thank you for sharing this with us. I found it really helpful 😊
*Hugs* 💓
@stormieandpaws
@AiluraTheCat
thank you we can relate to what you said about wanting to cry but unable to cry we use to never cry at all but now we can at times but only when alone yes kind words even when one unable to talk is very helpful just knowing some one there with you make it better
we all on a healing journey no race in healing either or time limit
we glad you here and your never alone
@stormieandpaws
It's feel's less isolated hear the you can relate my feelings, n sorry at the same time.
Thank you so much for you kind words, i really needed to hear this that I am not alone :) you made my day !! and I'm also way much happier to have you here with us 😊!
You're one of the beautiful and genuine soul here ❤️! Thank you for being kind and thoughtful 😊
🤗💕
@AiluraTheCat
thanks
glad our kind words helped brighten your day we believe one need to see that everyone matters and to be able to feel they not alone one of our big things is we believe one can walk beside one in their journey of healing and wellness as we think when another trys to take over and tell you what to do it make things worst not better
yes your not alone you matter and we here for you peer support one of the most amazing things we feel in ones healing journey as many times a peer can relate to what we going through were others can not
@stormieandpaws
Can't agree more with you <3 you are one of the pretty amazing cupser here😊!! Thank you so much for being kind, supportive and genuine 🤗
@AiluraTheCat
sitting with my thoughts instead of running
How to do that?
A lot of my thoughts are self hate. I run from them all the time. But then I find that most people encourage that. "Think positive", "I'm sure that's not true "
I'm in so much pain. Emotional pain. If I allowed it to have full sway, my life would collapse into a total mess.
I don't know how to navigate a way through that. The pull to collapse vs the determination to not lose everything.
@Clio9876
we found the way of the river study has helped us with like going through changing the mind set and way living life might be worth checking out here on 7 cups were it be it changed our life in some ways yes self hate a hard thing to go through here for you
@Clio9876
we found the way of the river study has helped us with like going through changing the mind set and way living life might be worth checking out here on 7 cups were it be it changed our life in some ways yes self hate a hard thing to go through here for you
@Clio9876
we found the way of the river study has helped us with like going through changing the mind set and way living life might be worth checking out here on 7 cups were it be it changed our life in some ways yes self hate a hard thing to go through here for you
@Clio9876
we found the way of the river study has helped us with like going through changing the mind set and way living life might be worth checking out here on 7 cups were it be it changed our life in some ways yes self hate a hard thing to go through here for you
@Clio9876
we found the way of the river study has helped us with like going through changing the mind set and way living life might be worth checking out here on 7 cups were it be it changed our life in some ways yes self hate a hard thing to go through here for you
@Clio9876
Hey Clio ❤️,
This is really relatable. I tend to blame myself a lot and go through regular breakdowns, but I don’t share it with anyone in real life. I only talk about it here on Cups, and even then, only with a few specific people I trust and feel comfortable with.
When you’re struggling with negative thoughts, it’s not easy to sit alone and fix everything by yourself. It’s definitely not possible to stay optimistic all the time. In the process of healing, we go through a lot every day, managing multiple things at once, feeling overwhelmed, dealing with emotional imbalance. Trying to stay positive in the middle of all that can sometimes make things even harder. You’re absolutely right!! we can’t stay positive during those heavy phases (:
But shifting your focus, accepting things as they are, and accepting who you are, taking accountability for your past mistakes, and working on them, these things really do help in the best way. However, it’s not easy, especially if you’re too hard on yourself. That’s why it’s important to take it slow!!! one step at a time!! one day at a time 😊!!
By doing this, accepting your current emotions, feelings, and mistakes!! you start to see the bigger picture :) Gradually, you’ll begin to step out of your comfort zone, and eventually, you’ll start working on yourself ❤️
Thank you so much for reaching out and sharing 😊
@AiluraTheCat Thank you so much for this amazing post, Ailura🥰 To be completely honest, I have not been my best recently, I couldn't be there for anyone when I couldn't be there for myself...so I decided to take a small break, to figure things out. Healing is really hard, and I wish more people understood that healing is not and never will be Linear. But the most important part lies not in falling, it's in getting back up, no matter how many times you fall. I know all my lovelies out there can do it! Keep going, my dear warriors, keep being you, you're doing great🫶
@IvoryNotes
Hey Ivory 😊,
Aww, thank you for your kind words <3
I’m really glad you’re taking a break. that’s a great decision when things start piling up. I appreciate you being kind to yourself :) I hope you feel better soon and get the proper self-care break you deserve ❤️
And yeah… I can really relate to your situation. I’ve been going through some things too, and it hasn’t been going well lately. I’m also on a self-care break. As you mentioned, healing is definitely not linear, and it’s not easy. I’ve been struggling with intense negative emotions and self-blame, but I’m not losing hope in the healing process.
It’s not easy to get back on track again, but doing so will make us stronger than we used to be.
I hope we and everyone else who’s having a hard time feel better soon 😊
@AiluraTheCat
Lovely post, Ailura 💕
Has anyone told you how amazing you are? If not, then let me! (っˊᗜˋ)(ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶) ♡
Struggling in silence is not any easy thing and I’m sorry you ever have to go through it. Like you said, there’s strength in trying and I’m really proud of you for doing that. I hope the brightness that you share with the world, comes back to brighten your life too ✨
Just remember that it’s okay to not be okay sometimes. We love you at your best and we’ll love you at your worst too. You are never alone 💕
