I cry a lot. Like a lot, a lot. Spoiler alert: I just stopped crying and thought it was the perfect time to start this article.

If I ever saw my friends cry as much as I cry, I would be concerned. But, for me, it's normal. I know I'm a lot kinder to those around me than to me, myself, and I. I can't say I'm proud of it or it's something that people should join in on. If anything, don't.

It's time we all learn how to be gentler with ourselves.

When you're on the ground, curled up in a ball, hysterically crying with no end in sight, you're just begging for a change. Your body, mind, soul, all that is aching. When you've tired yourself out, you're just left there: cold, grumpy, scared, confused, and without any motivation. I usually want to get up and start anew, but I just can't.

It's then when I realize — I don't deserve to do this to myself.

Sometimes, I just need to cry. My emotions build-up and a good cry is the exact release I need. I'm desperate to let it all out and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. That's healthy!

But other times nothing will come out. And, the worst feeling in the world is when you need to cry. You feel the tears and the lump in your throat, but you just. can't. cry. Nothing will come out.

When I get to this point, I know something is really wrong. My body needs help and I can't ignore it any longer. I need to take a step back. I just need a fucking break.

As hard as it will be to give that to myself, I have no other choice.

I also hate crying in front of people because I want people to remember me as a happy-go-lucky Jenni, not the other version that gets overwhelmed and weeps. But, I'm human and it's time to let myself cry. These hurting emotions can't be ignored and accepting them is how I learned how to be gentler with myself.

It's time to learn what self-kindness and self-care mean. I'm learning how to recognize what my body is asking of me.