Stress. Everyone deals with stress. It is a major factor in how humans live and how we do things. Unfortunately it is a major part of living in a world that is so fast paced. The world is impatient and demanding, time is of the essence and more importantly, money. Stress, anxiety and pressure are just naturally pushed upon us.

Dealing with these things isn't easy. I recently have been under an insane amount of stress. I'm a worrier and that leads me to stress. Then after that it leads me to worry about how much I'm stressing out. I'm the kind of person who just bottles things up and never talks about them until they overflow and I can't hold it back anymore. Unfortunately it usually reaches the boiling point while I'm in public.

I had been on the verge of tears all day and was internally panicking about the insane amount of things I had going on. I'd teared up a few times but had just shoved it back down and ignored it the best I could, All of than pent up frustration and anxiety finally decided it had had enough of being caged while I was at work. I made one mistake and it ended with me bursting into tears, unable to run the register until I managed to get myself under control again a few minutes later. Even still it was obvious that I'd been crying. I was embarrassed and frustrated and that did nothing to help me.

Later that night I apologized to my coworker for being such an emotional crybaby. She looked at me for a minute and told me I wasn't a crybaby and that I had nothing to be sorry for. She also told me that it's okay to be feeling how I was. It took me a little while to realize that she was right.

Crying in public would frustrate almost anybody, naturally. But that doesn't mean you should be ashamed of yourself for having emotions or for not being able to handle them in a situation. Things happen, life sucks sometimes.

I've always thought I had to be strong all the time. (There we have it, the reason for bottling up all of my emotions) I never really can get past the "make everybody think you're alright" thing. It's engraved into me and it's just a part of who I am. It takes a lot for me to admit to someone that I'm not okay and that I'm struggling.

I'm still learning that it's alright to not be okay all the time. I don't have to be a strong all the time. I'm allowed to have emotions and feeling and it isn't a bad thing for others to see, even though society is beginning to tell us differently. I don't always have to be in one piece. Neither do you.

I've learned that if you feel like crying just go ahead and cry. I'm not saying make a scene, but go somewhere you feel safe and just cry it out. I promise you'll feel better. Trying to keep that in will put you even more on edge and make you more frustrated with yourself.You also need to get over the fact that even if you feel like a wimp or a crybaby you really aren't. Everyone cries. Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Even strength has it's wavering moments.

The other thing to remember is that people really aren't as judgmental as you think they are. Don't be afraid to talk to someone about your struggles. Just anyone who will listen and you think you can trust. Don't let yourself get into the mindset that your problems aren't worth someone else's time or that they aren't important enough to tell to someone else. You aren't burdening them and I know they would rather help you than let you deal with everything by yourself.

Just keep in mind that you're only human. You're not perfect, you're not flawless. Neither is anyone else. Remember who you are and that you're strong enough to take care of yourself. It takes true strength to admit when you're not OK or that you need help. Don't feel ashamed of dealing with your emotions. You're only human and that's a good thing.