Have you ever felt like someone looked at your pain and handed you a sticker that said, “Good vibes only”?
Yeah. Me too.
We are living in a time where positivity has become a performance. It’s a highlight reel. It’s a quote on a mug. It’s someone telling you to smile when your whole life is on fire.
Let’s be honest.
Toxic positivity is everywhere. And it doesn’t always sound fake at first. It comes dressed in nice words like:
– “You got this.”
– “Everything happens for a reason.”
– “Just be strong.”
But when you’re hurting deeply, those words don’t land. They dismiss. They silence.
They tell you: “Whatever you’re feeling? Keep it to yourself.”
And I’m done with that.
Emotional Fitness Isn’t Smiling Through the Pain
I just hosted a live where I shared my truth. I didn’t plan to be emotional. I didn’t plan to break open. But it happened—because I finally gave myself permission to speak from the soul.
I spoke about how toxic positivity almost broke me. Not because people meant harm—but because I learned to suppress everything to make others comfortable.
– I learned to be “classy” at all costs.
– I learned to smile through heartbreak.
– I learned that being the strong one meant being the silent one.
And let me tell you something: that kind of “strength” almost ended me.
There’s a Difference Between Being Strong and Being Numb
Real strength isn’t about being silent.
It’s not about swallowing grief or ignoring pain.
It’s about facing it. Feeling it. Moving through it with truth.
Sometimes, strength means crying in your car and then walking into that job interview anyway.
Sometimes it means admitting: “I’m not okay”—and still waking up the next day to try again.
Sometimes it means cooking dinner for your kids with tears in your eyes.
That is strength.
Not silence.
Not performance.
Not “fake it ‘til you make it.”
We Don’t Need More Motivational Quotes
Real strength isn’t about being silent.
It’s not about swallowing grief or ignoring pain.
It’s about facing it. Feeling it. Moving through it with truth.
Sometimes, strength means crying in your car and then walking into that job interview anyway.
Sometimes it means admitting: “I’m not okay”—and still waking up the next day to try again.
Sometimes it means cooking dinner for your kids with tears in your eyes.
That is strength.
Not silence.
Not performance.
Not “fake it ‘til you make it.”
We Don’t Need More Motivational Quotes
You can be classy and still speak your truth.
You can be healing and still fierce.
Emotional fitness is not about being perfect.
It’s about being connected to your heart.
It’s about listening to your inner voice, not silencing it.
And yes, it’s about rising—but not before resting.
Not before feeling.
Not before honoring the truth inside you.
So If You’re Tired of Pretending…
This blog is your permission slip.
You’re allowed to cry.
You’re allowed to not be okay.
You’re allowed to feel joy AND pain.
You’re allowed to be human.
Let’s stop telling people to be positive and start telling them to be real.
Let’s stop handing out empty quotes and start offering real support.
Because the world doesn’t need more polished, perfect faces.
It needs more hearts that are brave enough to feel.
—
If no one else told you today…
**I give you permission to feel.**
“This is part of my healing journey. If my story touches you, share yours with me — you’re not alone. #EWomenStrong”
