In case you don’t hear it enough, it’s okay to not be okay.

You think you always have to be strong.

But you don’t.

This is something I've battled with for as long as I can remember. I forget that it's okay that I'm not always okay. I'm constantly paralyzed with the fear that I won't be able to accomplish the goals I've set for myself.

I think and I think I think and then I get overwhelmed. When I get overwhelmed, I start to doubt myself. I doubt my ability, my motivation, and my ambition. I subconsciously put myself in these depressive states and getting out of them is always a battle. I've learned to emotionally detach myself from situations to avoid hurt.

Sometimes, we're just expected to be happy. It's as if society believes that self-love and sadness are polar opposites. I’m here to tell you, they're not. We all have bad days, some worse than others. We all also have good days, but it's important to recognize that each day is its own. You're allowed to not be okay.

As long as you don't let it consume you.

1. It’s ok to miss people.

You’re allowed to miss your ex. Your ex-boyfriend, ex-girlfriend, ex-best friend, anyone that once played an important role in your life and left. Or maybe you left. Either way, they’re no longer in your life and that can’t be easy. Miss them and cry over them. Do you what you need to do so that you don’t feel a hole in your heart every time you hear their name. When you’re done crying and being hurt, remember to surround yourself with people who love you.

Remind yourself that they’re gone for a reason. God put them in your life for a purpose and once they’ve fulfilled that purpose, they’re no longer beneficial. Let Him do His job. There are things you can't change. The people who you meet and the people who leave are some of these things.

It’s okay to not be okay, but it’s not okay to fall back into a toxic routine.

2. It’s ok to make mistakes.

In a society that values perfection, we tend to forget that a mistake, no matter the magnitude, is not a reflection of us. Speaking from experience, finding yourself in a bad situation can make you question if you're good enough for the path you've chosen. Alike letting go of toxic people, dreading on something you can't change becomes a toxic situation.

Learn to take mistakes lightheartedly. Don't dismiss them, but don't let them define you. Don't allow an unfortunate event to alter your own perception of yourself. Let it go and try again.

It's okay to not be okay, but it’s not okay to let it define you.

3. It’s ok to lose yourself.

It’s okay to pause and remove yourself from a situation. It's also okay to throw yourself out of your comfort zone. You're allowed to lose yourself in order to find yourself. This journey can get hard once you stop recognizing who you are and your world feels like its falling apart.

If you feel like you haven't been yourself lately, just remember that your spark will return. Remind yourself that you will shine in the world the way you're meant to.

4. It's ok to not be okay, but it’s not okay to give up on finding yourself.

Sadness is sadness, but your heart will adapt. Allow for the change instead of fighting it.

It’s ok, even when you think it isn’t.