Quiet Breakdowns: I’m Fine
It’s okay. I’m okay.
My problems are mine— only mine.
So all you’ll hear is: “I’m fine.”
Even if, after, I turn away with tears filling my eyes.
seen from Canada

seen from Chile
seen from Germany

seen from United States
seen from T1

seen from Malaysia
seen from India
seen from T1

seen from United States

seen from United States

seen from Russia
seen from China

seen from Oman

seen from China
seen from United Kingdom
seen from Singapore
seen from China
seen from Ireland
seen from Russia
seen from Romania
Quiet Breakdowns: I’m Fine
It’s okay. I’m okay.
My problems are mine— only mine.
So all you’ll hear is: “I’m fine.”
Even if, after, I turn away with tears filling my eyes.
Quiet Breakdowns: Chin Up
I stand chin up, a confident look upon my face— but inside, doubt.
Doubt of failing. Of falling. Of being looked down on as someone who needs help with something.
I never cry. At least, not during the day. Not in front of anyone.
But then— I get yelled at for not doing what I was told. Because for one moment— just one— I wanted to forget.
To let go. To let my worries slip away.
But I’m pulled back. Things to do. Tasks. Noise.
So I stand tall, chin up, and walk away.
Later— quiet, alone, with no one to worry about, no one to please, no noise pressing in— I feel calm.
Calm like someone who still has something to do, but can breathe.
But if even one thing slips, by the end of the day I’ve already reached my limit.
And finally— to my sorrowful relief— they fall. Tears, like a waterfall into the stream of my pillow, as I silently weep.
Then— almost as quickly as the dam broke— I repair it.
And I walk out again. Chin up. Toward people who are smiling, laughing, like everything is good for me too.
Quiet Breakdowns: Too Much
It’s too much I can only do so much, go so many different ways, try so hard.
Leave me alone Voices from everywhere— could be anywhere. Or is it just me in my head?
Stop So many things to do, so many requests, too many thoughts racing through my head.
Please Things to do, or consequences will spread over the things I care for.
What do you want from me? What more can I do? I’ve stopped pleasing myself just to please you.
I can’t I can’t be everything, do everything, be expected of so much.
It’s too much As time slows, everything crashes down. Everything’s been building up—
And the boat, my raft of safety, sinks.
Quiet Breakdowns: Another Day
It’s just another day Where I say “it’s okay” —even though it’s not.
It had ruined my day. But still, I responded: “It’s okay.” Over and over again.
“It’s fine,” I said, multiple times.
But every time, the tears threatened to spill from my eyes.