Recently, I spotted a fellow mom while shopping at one of my favorite stores. We aren’t particularly close, but we share enough through social media and the occasional coffee catch-up to feel a sense of familiarity. She knows I’m navigating life as a divorced, working mother, just as she is. When we run into each other, there’s a comforting ease, much like the relief of unbuttoning tight jeans after a big meal.
I greeted her and asked how she was doing, to which she responded with the typical, “Good.” When she returned the question, I lied and said I was great. It was a total fabrication. Suddenly, her demeanor shifted; her eyes fell to the ground, and she laughed softly. “Actually, I’m really struggling,” she admitted.
In that moment, I felt an overwhelming wave of relief wash over me. It was as if she had given me permission to drop my own facade. As I stood there, I realized how much I needed to express that I was barely holding it together that week. It felt liberating to be authentic, to allow myself to be vulnerable.
We often rush through life, clenching our teeth and pretending everything is fine. This brief conversation, though only a few minutes long—she had a commitment to rush off to, and my child was in the dressing room trying on another outfit—had a profound impact on my day. I can only hope it brightened hers too. After all, she must have needed to open up, or she wouldn’t have let her guard down with me.
While I didn’t relish the fact that she was having a tough time, I could sense my heartbeat slowing just by sharing that moment of honesty. It felt refreshing to drop the mask, to escape the cycle of saying I was fine while feeling anything but. Without her sharing her truth, I might have left the store feeling like a hollow version of myself, just another person lost in the crowd.
We are human, not programmed robots. We don’t need to sugarcoat our feelings, despite the endless stream of motivational quotes about positivity. It’s perfectly okay to acknowledge that life can be challenging and that we don’t always feel “great.” You can appreciate the good in your life and still feel like you’re barely getting by.
I recognize that admitting to struggles can be difficult, yet this exchange reminded me of the power of genuine dialogue. It was a weight lifted, allowing me to embrace my reality without shame. I realized I want more of these authentic conversations where I can express my true feelings.
Being real doesn’t mean you have to divulge every detail of your life’s struggles. It’s about allowing someone a glimpse into your world without the need to fabricate a perfect image. Especially when you have the chance to connect with someone who understands that life can sometimes feel like a chaotic mess, it’s worth embracing that vulnerability.
It’s not easy to be open, and it can feel daunting, but honesty is a strength. By sharing our struggles, we grant others the freedom to do the same, which can be just the support someone needs to carry on through their day. Who knows, you might uplift someone, just like that candid moment did for me.
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Summary:
A brief encounter with a fellow mom in a department store transformed my day. By sharing our honest struggles, we created a moment of vulnerability that reminded me how essential it is to be real. Authentic connections can alleviate the burdens we carry, proving that it’s okay to admit when we’re not doing well.