You suddenly hear a screech from a door opening the room and you wipe the tears in panic. Grabbing the powder, you immediately make yourself look good and neat as you continue the mantra, “I’ll be okay.”

Stop saying that.

You’re not gonna be okay.

Yes, there are a hundred positive words that I can choose to say, but no. You will not be okay. I’m so tired of seeing others buy that fabricated smile you’re wearing. I’m so tired of seeing you hiding your feelings when people tease you, and all you do is just laugh yourself off. I’m so tired of seeing you humiliate yourself and make other people happy, yet in the inside you just push the bad thoughts away. I’m so tired of seeing you sacrifice something because you want to be fit in the society’s standards.

And I bet you’re tired, too.

You’re tired of having to hide your sadness because other people will be sad, too. You’re tired of going to school and out feeling like a ghost, transparent and feeling nothing. You’re tired of going home and receiving sermons from your parents even though you haven’t done anything. You’re tired of working so hard because people pressure you to do the best, they want you to exceed other people. You’re tired of being your best and you just want to be normal. You’re tired of having to go to sleep crying and wetting your soft pillow with your endless tears.

Honey, it’s okay to rest.

It’s okay to be sad for a while. It’s okay to have “off” moods and not caring about other people (not in a bad way!). It’s okay to hang out with your best friend once in a while, even when that book report is due the next day. It’s okay to go out alone and treat yourself some pizza or doughnuts. It’s okay to eat that last bag of chips in the pantry. It’s okay to turn on that night light and read a classic novel. It’s okay to shout in a mall or in the rooftop or in public places when you feel like you need to blow.

It’s okay to break down and cry. It’s okay to need someone whenever you feel weak.

For a moment, just stop being so considerate of others. You always care so much about others’ feelings that you didn’t have the time to take care of yourself. You love others so much that you didn’t realize every part of you was fading. You were so selfless that you became the lesser part of yourself. For once, start knowing what you want to do and what really makes you happy.

Please grab that handkerchief and cry all you want. Please lie down and cry. Cry. Cry. Cry.

And then, know your priorities and set your goals straight. Do not be what other want you to be. Be what you are and who you are. Get up and be confident. Start being happy all over again. Find your inspiration. And if you feel like giving up again,

remember that the winds brought you down and hurt you…

but you got up and conquered the storm.

You’re not gonna be okay. And that’s what I have experienced so far. But in time, you will heal. In time, you will be the best version of yourself. In time, you will no longer be afraid and scared and belittled of the storm. You will be ahead of it. Time will come, dear, when you will bloom a beautiful flower in this whole garden. Soon, you’re going to smile and be okay.