Admitting ‘I'm Not OK' Is Self-Care

Before the end of 2019, a lot of things happened to me on the home front. I knew I was wearing myself out as I had a very challenging year. Then December came. On top of the expected busyness of the Christmas season, there was work, my kids, my helper going on a month-long vacation, and my husband getting sick. Each day brought crying sprees, emotional battles, and couple discussions as I carried on with my work or chores.

- Michele S. Alignay, PhD

We all have these moments. Unfortunately, my line of work in psychology doesn’t exempt me from being overwhelmed by the stresses of life. What are the things that got to me? One was when some close friends pointed out that I could handle it and urged me to change my ways. Another was when I felt that the significant people around me weren’t listening to my feelings, as if they did not matter. Then there was the struggle with things and people beyond my control.

Only a few people held my hand as I went through these struggles. One time, a friend messaged me after Christmas and asked how I was. I wondered why she asked. She replied that it was because I didn’t have my usual inspiring posts, reflections, and musings. That’s when it dawned on me how tired I was—exhausted even—inside and out!