It’s Okay to Not Be Okay: Holding Space for Our Hard Days

There’s a small sign that sits quietly on my office shelf. I’ve seen it a hundred times, maybe more.
It reads:
“It’s okay to not be okay.”

Today, I realized I actually needed to hear it. To let those words sink in.

And I’ll be honest, sometimes I don’t fully believe it.
Yes, even as a therapist. Even as someone who reminds other people of this very truth.

We All Have These Days

There are moments where life doesn’t feel quite real.
When the questions get loud.
When the overwhelm sneaks in.

You might find yourself asking:
How did I even get here? Where is this life leading me?

We want life to feel good.
To feel vibrant.
To feel like we’re doing it "right."

But the truth is—there are many days we are simply not okay.
Today is one of mine. And I know I’ll have more days like this.

It’s Not Just You

Feeling this way doesn’t make you broken. It doesn’t mean you’re doing life wrong. It’s simply part of the human experience.
We were never meant to hold everything together perfectly.

Mental health isn’t about always feeling good.
It’s about learning to hold space for ourselves, even when we’re in the thick of it. Even when the weight feels heavy.

You don’t have to rush to fix it.
You don’t have to have the answers.
You don’t have to “positive mindset” your way out of it immediately.

You Can Sit With It

So if you’re also having one of those days, I hope you can borrow this from me:
It’s okay to not be okay.

It’s okay to sit with it.
It’s okay to feel unsure.
It’s okay to simply breathe through it.

And when you’re ready, you can reach out.
You can connect.
You can soften.

You’re Not Alone

The days you’re not okay don’t make you weak. They make you real.
They make you human.

I’m sitting with you in this space.
Right here. Right now.

If you need to, say it out loud:
It’s okay to not be okay.

If you’re looking for mental health therapist, contact me.