Im Fine I Lied Im Dying Inside

Ever said, "I'm fine!" when you felt like a squeezed lemon marinated in existential dread?

We've all been there. It's practically a universal language, spoken fluently from Tokyo to Timbuktu.

The "I'm Fine" Olympics

Think of it as a competition, a silent, internal battle where we all strive for the gold medal in emotional repression.

The reigning champion? Probably your neighbor, Brenda, who juggles three kids, a full-time job, and still manages to bake perfect sourdough every Tuesday. Brenda, we salute you!

But seriously, why do we do this? Why do we slap a smile on our faces when inside, we're staging a dramatic reenactment of the Titanic sinking… repeatedly?

The Polite Shield

Sometimes, it's politeness, right? You don't want to burden the cashier at the grocery store with your detailed analysis of why your dating app profile is attracting only people who collect taxidermied squirrels.

“I'm fine, thanks!” you chirp, while internally screaming, “My love life is a squirrel graveyard!”

Or maybe you're at a family gathering. Your Great Aunt Mildred is cornering you to ask (again) about your marital status.

“I’m fine, Aunt Mildred!” (Translation: “Please, send help! I’m trapped in a time warp of unsolicited advice!”)

The Fear of Vulnerability Monster

Then there’s the fear factor. The dreaded Vulnerability Monster lurks in the shadows, ready to pounce if we dare to show a flicker of real emotion.

We worry about being judged, being seen as weak, or, heaven forbid, making someone feel uncomfortable.

So we plaster on the "I'm fine" mask, hoping the monster will think we’re just super chill and move along to someone less… authentic.

The Dying Inside Symphony

But what happens when the "I'm fine" becomes the soundtrack to your life? What happens when the internal screams become a full-blown orchestral symphony of "I'm dying inside"?

Well, that's when things get a little… interesting.

Your brain starts playing tricks on you. You might find yourself crying at commercials for dish soap or developing an inexplicable obsession with collecting rubber ducks. Don't judge.

Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating. But seriously, constantly burying your feelings is like trying to hold a beach ball underwater. Eventually, it’s going to pop up and whack you in the face.

So, What's the Solution? (Besides Rubber Ducks)

Here's the revolutionary idea: maybe, just maybe, it's okay to not be fine sometimes.

Crazy, I know.

Talk to a friend, a therapist, or even your cat (cats are surprisingly good listeners, even if they mostly judge you).

Admitting you're not okay isn't a sign of weakness; it's a sign of strength! It shows you're brave enough to acknowledge your feelings and smart enough to seek help.

And who knows? Maybe you'll even inspire someone else to ditch the "I'm fine" mask and show their true, slightly-dramatically-sinking-Titanic self.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to buy a rubber duck. Just kidding! (Mostly.)