I ask "is it okay _____?" a thousand times a day and I think sometimes we all just need that reassurance that you can feel the emotions that you want; and that doing things because you want to is okay especially when you're going through a hard time. Here is a short list of 10 things I can say are okay when dealing with things.
It's okay to be confused.
Being sad and mad at the same time is okay. You can't help how you feel so it's better to just embrace it. Sad and mad rhyme for a reason, they often go hand in hand.
It's okay to take a mental health day.
Sometimes laying in bed, binge watching Netflix, and eating junk food can be amazingly healing. So if you need a day to recharge, you owe it to yourself.
It's okay to be afraid of being alone.
No one truly wants to be alone all of the time. Loneliness is one of my biggest fears and it's not something you get over overnight. For most of us it will always be something that is unsettling and feels the worst. Being afraid is a valid feeling and I want you all to know that.
It's okay to miss someone you feel like you shouldn't miss.
If someone was a big part of your life, you're going to miss them not being in it anymore. It doesn't matter what they did to hurt you or why they aren't there anymore. It's completely normal to miss them. It's okay to miss them for the rest of your life if that's how you feel. Memories don't go away. People who had an impact on you don't go away. So go ahead and miss them,keep them in your heart and don't feel bad about it; but leave room for other people to fit inside your heart too.
It's okay to wonder.
I think we all have things that we look back at and wonder what would be different if things played out differently. It's a natural reaction to have. As cliche' as it is, everything happens for a reason. Wondering and caring about how a person is doing in the present happens from time to time. The only thing is not to dwell on it too much. It's okay to wonder and it's okay to think about things; but never forget to wonder about the future. Think about the future positively because you can't change the past or know everything that's going on with that person now. You need to build up a future for yourself or you'll be stuck wondering "what if?"
It's okay to cry.
This is the truest statement that I can make. I don't care if it's because of frustration, stress, sadness etc... you need to embrace those feelings and if crying is the way to do that, Cry it out. It doesn't matter if it's over something silly or something that you've been holding in. Don't hold it in. Anyone who says it's not okay is wrong.
It's okay to move on.
Moving on is hard. Whether it's because you still hold hope or you don't want to feel like you're betraying someone by living your life without them it's something that you have to do. You deserve to dream and be successful. I know it might feel like going on without them is forgetting them but it's not. It might feel like there's an empty presence beside you but you have to keep moving forward. Listen, that person may come back to fill that space and they may not. You might end up having it filled by a new presence like a pet, a new friend, or even just enjoying being with yourself.
It's okay to talk about it.
I know talking about things is hard sometimes. Maybe we've never talked about it before but it's a good thing to try. Find someone you trust and let those feelings out and let them give you feedback. A person you can trust won't judge you and will want to be there for you. Also, I know that sometimes we worry we're being annoying and our friend has heard about the same thing over and over again from us but a true friend that loves you is going to listen every single time and never make you feel like a burden. This leads me to my next point...
It's okay to get help.
Therapy and treatment are things that most people don't want to think about but sometimes it's our last option and it's the bravest decision to make. I can tell you personally that it is okay to get the help you need especially if it's an option you feel will be beneficial and you've gotten to the point where it's the last thing that may help you. Yes it's taboo to talk about still and it's absolutely terrifying but sometimes the strongest people are the ones that can admit they aren't strong enough to do it on their own. It's okay to take that step and anyone who thinks otherwise, you are better off without. Trust me, it's scary and nerve wracking but it's worth it and trying to help yourself is extremely courageous and okay.
It's okay to not be okay.
This has been said many times but it's honest. Some days will be victories and others will feel like you've went backwards and that's okay. You have the right to be upset about something no matter how recent a wound or how old of a scar it may be. It's okay not to be okay. We're human and we have emotions and nothing will change that so instead just know that "Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end. "-John Lennon
"Never be ashamed of what you feel. You have the right to feel any emotion that you want, and to do what makes you happy. That's my life motto." -Demi Lovato
