i've been wiping my own tears since i was a kid. i learned early that not everyone will care enough to ask if i'm okay or if i need a hug. i kept my struggles quiet and became my own shoulder to lean on. i taught myself how to get through storms alone and heal wounds no one even knew about. i learned how to sit with my pain and still go on with my day like nothing was wrong. i smiled in front of people while i was breaking inside. i kept things to myself because i didn't want to explain, i didn't want to be misunderstood, or worse, ignored. i learned that it's okay to not be okay, but it's also okay to keep going anyway. i comforted myself in silence and told myself to stay strong. i picked up all the broken pieces because if i don't, who will?