I'm tired of being the strong one. There. I said it. I'm tired of being the one everyone leans on. The one with answers. The one who holds it together while my own world is crumbling. I'm tired of being told how "strong" I am like it's a compliment when it feels like a curse. Like because I can handle it, I should. Like because I don't break in public, I must not be breaking at all. But I am breaking. In the car on the way home. In the shower where no one can hear. At 3am when my chest feels heavy and I'm wondering who I can call who won't be busy. I'm breaking and no one sees it because I've gotten too good at hiding. I became the person everyone comes to. And I love that. But somewhere along the way, I forgot how to let anyone be there for me. I forgot how to say "I'm not okay" without following it up with "but I will be." I forgot how to admit I'm tired. That I'm lonely. That I don't know how much longer I can carry this alone. If you're the strong one too? I see you. Holding everyone up while your knees buckle. Smiling when you want to scream. Saying "I'm fine" when you're anything but. You don't have to be strong all the time. You're allowed to fall apart. Allowed to need someone. Allowed to be the one who leans. Let someone hold you today. Let someone ask how you are and actually tell the truth. You've earned it. And for what it's worth? You're not alone. I'm right there with you. Strong on the outside. Tired to the bone. Real strength isn't carrying everything yourself. It's knowing when to let it go.