Hey, are you OK?
I can’t think of a scarier question, especially when you’re feeling vulnerable.
If I say I’m OK, you may walk away because you think I’m fine.
If I say I’m not OK, you’ll think I’m weak, and a loser in Life.
What do I say??
My life isn’t a binary OK/not OK switch.
My emotions and state runs through a spectrum of feelings because I am human.
Sometimes I’m struggling to keep my head above water.
Grief, bereavement, loss, perhaps struggling with trauma and neglect.
Maybe I feel haven’t got emotional support to get me through it all.
Maybe I am fighting inner battles with depression, OCD, anxiety or other mental health issues.
Perhaps I am crippled by guilt or shame over something that happened in the past, which isn’t allowing me to move on.
Sometimes I think it isn’t worth it to wake up in the morning.
But, sometimes there are better days.
I can get out of bed.
I can have that shower, after god knows how long.
Perhaps I can even smile at that burnt toast.
That’s what makes the question so difficult to answer.
Perhaps it’s just easier to say “I’m fine.”
—
That’s why I rarely asks someone if they’re OK.
Better questions are:
Hey how are you doing?
Looks like things have been rough for you lately, how are you coping?
Have you been able to sleep well? How’s your sleep been?
Give someone the space to be anywhere between Not OK and OK.
If you’re struggling and you haven’t got anyone to talk to, call Samaritans freephone from the UK on 116 123.
I volunteer for this amazing charity that provides emotional support to those who are struggling and who may be feeling suicidal.
If you’re not in the UK, you can email jo@samaritans.org for a safe space to talk about what’s going on in your life.
You don’t have to go through it alone. 🌹
#OnThePeiroll
#SuicideAwareness
#SuicidePrevention
