02/09/2025
Somedays, I just can’t. And that should be okay.
If I had a sore ankle—even if it wasn’t broken—no one would question why I’m limping. People would help me carry things. They’d open doors. It’s seen, understood, and accepted.
But what about the days when my mind isn’t functioning at 100%? When it’s mental wellness that’s sore—not physical? I want a world where I can say, “Today is a mental ‘sore ankle’ day,” and have it met with the same empathy, not discomfort or confusion.
Maybe it’s menopause and brain fog from hormones. Maybe it’s anxiety that makes relaxing or focusing feel impossible. Just like we don’t expect someone limping to sprint, we shouldn’t expect peak performance from someone struggling mentally.
We must encourage honest conversations around mental health—and mental unwellness—not just when things are going well, but also on the difficult days.
It’s normal to say, “I’ve overdone it and my ankle is sore.” It should be just as normal to say, “I’ve been worrying too much,” or “I need a day to take care of myself,” and receive the same understanding.
Why do we treat these things so differently? What could change in your workplace or community to bridge that gap?
