We’ve all seen the memes –
Check on your friends with toddlers/teenagers, they are not okay.
We laugh and keep scrolling. We all know there is some truth to this. And it doesn’t really have to do with what stage of life our kids are in. Some of us just aren’t okay. And that’s okay. It’s okay to not be good with where we are in our lives emotionally and mentally. We need that support from our friends. Whether we’ve experienced loss, trauma or are just having a tough time adjusting to a second (or third) baby, we need to support one another.
What Support Looks Like
I’m the first to admit, I used to think support was a cursory “hey how ya doin?” and not really diving deep with my spouse, my family or my friends. I didn’t want to dive deep with them because I didn’t want to make anyone feel uncomfortable. From the outside looking in, we should be great, right?
#firstworldguilt
I’ve got a roof over my head, good health, a job and a family that loves me. What more can I ask for? Well, we can’t get through this life alone and we are more disconnected than ever. I for one need a support network that includes my family and friends. We need support and understanding from everyone in our life and we need to be there for each other.
For the last few months, I’ve been diving deeper with my friends.
I know I’m struggling; they may be too. What a watershed moment! I started checking in with my friends once a week via text, face time and private Facebook groups – opening up to them about my personal struggles and being empathetic when they opened up about their issues. Asking how everyone is doing emotionally and/or mentally today/this week has brought my friendships with these ladies to a deeper level. It also makes us feel less alone in our struggles and allows for us to ask for and receive judgement-free support – the best kind!
That woman who seems to have it all – the beautiful family, great job, perfectly decorated home? She may be struggling too. You just never know.
