I feel like, in today's society especially, most people believe that they have to be strong all the time.

That they have to be the figure that they want their friends to look up to and to always be their shoulder to cry on, but where is your shoulder? Who do you have to talk to? To cry to? Yourself? Your thoughts?

If you're someone that feels like they always have to bury their sadness and problems and if you're the one who feels like they always have to be strong, then this one is for you.

It's OKAY to not be OKAY.

I want to emphasize the word OKAY every time I say it. Because what really is the definition of "okay?" We say it a lot, even when we aren't. Do we actually know what it feels like to be truly okay? When someone ask you are today, do you usually respond with,"I'm good how are you?" or "I'm okay,"? We as a society believe that even being okay is satisfactory as an emotion, when in reality if you look up the definition of the adjective of okay, you would find the meaning to be,"satisfactory, but not exceptionally or especially good."

So even though you're okay, you're still not okay, which is what I want to address. You don't have to be strong all the time. It's okay to let your guard down, or to cry, or to scream, or even to remain silent. You do not have to be happy all the time and by no means do you have to smile and laugh every day. I believe it is the people who feel like they have to be strong all the time who are the saddest. We live in a society where people are ridiculed for being too sad or even too happy.

What I'm trying to say is this. If you're sad or have a problem, don't feel afraid to feel that emotion and talk it out with someone. Or, if you're not the kind of person who likes talking, just sit there in silence with someone, your pet, or even yourself. Listen to some music, watch some movies, cuddle up in your bed with a good book, or even just take a nap.

It's important and also very healthy for someone to experience every kind of emotion every now and again. It's also important to know that, if you're the person on the other end and you're listening to someone talk about their issues, there are many things you should and shouldn't do.

Make sure you listen to them, nod every once and a while, but never interrupt them. Don't try to start an argument or compare your life to theirs and definitely do not be on the phone. It's okay to ask them questions, and if they want a hug or some kind of affection, give it to them. The bottom line, keep connections with them and let them know you are there for them, you're listening, and that they are important.

That one is very important (obviously), because most times people who don't feel okay or the ones who are trying to be strong don't feel important enough. They feel like their problems don't matter and that they should just keep quiet, or that others have it worse, so why should they throw their problems into the ring? Everyone matters and so does their feelings.

Lastly, I just want you to know that you're not alone. There are so many people out there struggling, some of them silently. As someone who took a long time to open up, I'm telling you, it feels better when you finally do. I'm not saying talk to a therapist because that sure didn't help me. Talk to someone you trust and look up to and let them know what's going on, but also remember to not get angry if someone upsets you and they don't know what's happening, because that's not fair either.I'm not gonna say things are going to be okay, because we already learned the true definition. I want things to be wonderful and happy for everyone, but just remember that it will always be okay to not be okay.

PSA: If you ever get to the point, though, where it becomes worse than OKAY and you don't know what to do and feel like you might make a rash decision, take a deep breath and call this number.

National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255