**content warning: details mental health struggles / frustrations**
Everyone will pat you on the back,
Send well wishes your way,
And tell you you’ll be okay.
They’ll say
“You’re so strong”,
“I couldn’t imagine how you’re feeling”, and
“I’m so proud of you.”
They’ll understand you have silent battles,
But won’t do much to make them any easier.
What they don’t say
Is that you may be beaten down by your battles
And you may struggle to get up,
Since laying down is so much easier.
What they don’t say
Is that the mental struggles
Are just as difficult as the physical ones.
What they don’t say
Is that your invisible wounds will hurt
Just as much as the physical ones.
What they also don’t say
Is that your invisible scars and battles
Will make you so incredibly strong.
What they also don’t say
Is that the days you simply lay down and exist
May be higher in number
But will be just as impressive
As the fewer days you stand up and fight.
What they also don’t say
Is that, even if you feel all alone,
There are others who are experiencing the same silent battles,
And find you stronger than you feel.
What I want you to know and believe
Is that things will turn out okay.
Maybe not today,
Maybe not tomorrow,
But eventually,
Gradually,
You will turn out just fine.