The Quiet Pressure to Be “Okay”

Many of us feel an unspoken pressure to say we’re “fine” — even when we’re tired, overwhelmed, or unsure. In this episode, Marilyn explores where that pressure comes from, why pretending to be okay can be exhausting, and how to be honest without overexposing yourself.

This conversation is about removing the emotional mask, recognizing the difference between privacy and pretending, and learning language that protects your energy while staying true to yourself.

In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:

1. Why we feel pressure to appear “okay”
2. How minimizing your feelings adds to emotional exhaustion
3. The difference between being private and pretending
4. Gentle ways to be honest without opening heavy conversations
5. A simple writing practice to release internal pressure

Reflection Questions:

1. Where do I feel pressure to be okay?
2. Who do I automatically reassure instead of myself?
3. What might it feel like to answer honestly — even quietly?

Listener Reminder:

You don’t owe anyone a performance of wellness.

Being honest doesn’t have to be loud to be real.