Mental Health Without the Bullshit – Entry #2

IMPORTANT NOTE: I am NOT a mental health professional. If you need help, I STRONGLY encourage you to seek it, and you can start here. This series of blog posts is me candidly sharing my deeply personal experiences with you (with some tears along the way).

The Ones Who “Have It Together”

You’d never know by looking at them.

They’re the ones who always show up.
The ones who crush deadlines, lead teams, make people laugh, and carry the load for others.
They’re dependable. Driven. Maybe even admired.

They’re also the ones crying alone in their car.
Drinking just enough to numb it.
Or lying awake at 3am with their heart racing and their mind spiraling.

This is what high-functioning depression and anxiety looks like.
And it’s silently killing people.

I Know Because I’ve Lived It

There were days I’d walk into a room, cracking jokes, running the show—looking every bit the part of someone who “has it together.” But inside? I was unraveling.

I felt empty.
Disconnected.
Like I was barely keeping it together with duct tape and caffeine.

And the worst part? No one knew.
Because I didn’t let them.

Why High-Functioning Depression Is So Dangerous

High-functioning depression is tricky.

You don’t miss work.
You don’t fall apart in public.
You don’t even necessarily look depressed.

You just feel like:

• You’re surviving instead of living
• You’re playing a part in a movie you can’t stand
• You can’t breathe, but you’re still expected to run marathons

It’s quiet.
It’s suffocating.
And it’s lonely as hell.

We’ve Been Trained to Hide It

The world celebrates strength—but it doesn’t always recognize pain, especially when we hide it behind an “I’m fine” mask.

And because you’re still functioning:

• People don’t check in on you
• You don’t check in on yourself
• You just keep pushing until something breaks

You might even think, “Well, I haven’t hit rock bottom yet, so I’m fine.”
But you’re not fine—you’re just not outwardly broken.

Yet.

If This Is You, Listen Up

This post is for you if you’re holding it together by sheer force of will.
If you’re the one people rely on—but secretly feel like you’re drowning.

Let me be clear:

• You are not weak
• You are not broken
• You are not alone

But you do need to stop pretending you’re invincible.

What to Do Instead

Start talking.
Start asking for help.
Start saying “no” without guilt.
Start telling the truth—even if your voice shakes.

You don’t have to collapse in order to be taken seriously.
You don’t have to wear your pain on your sleeve to deserve help.
And you damn sure don’t have to die on the hill of perfection.

Let People In

Because strength isn’t about keeping it all together.
It’s about knowing when to let go before it destroys you.

Drop the mask.
Let someone see the real you.
You don’t have to carry it all alone.