tears

Growing up, I always felt like I had to put on a brave face. No matter how hard things got, I couldn't let anyone see me cry. I thought it was a sign of weakness, that if I let my emotions show, I would be seen as less than.

So, I held it all in. Whenever I felt sad or overwhelmed, I retreated to a quiet corner and let the tears fall. I cried until I felt numb, until I couldn't feel anything at all. It was a way to cope, a way to let out the pain without anyone else knowing.

But then, something changed. As I got older, I found myself unable to cry in private anymore. No matter how hard I tried to hold it in, the tears would start to fall as soon as someone asked me if I was okay.

It was a strange feeling, to be so vulnerable in front of others. But at the same time, it was a relief. For once, I didn't have to pretend that everything was okay. I could be honest about how I was feeling, and people would listen.

Still, there were times when I felt like I had to put on a brave face again. Maybe it was in front of someone I admired, or when I was at a social event. Sometimes it hurt, to have to hide my true emotions behind a smile. But other times, I was grateful for the chance to smile at all.

In the end, I realized that it's okay to cry in front of others. It's okay to be vulnerable, to show your true emotions. It doesn't make you weak, it makes you human. And that's something to be proud of.