The Slow Erosion of Always Being “Fine”

You say you’re fine. You convince others you’re fine. But fine is not harmless. Fine slowly wears you down.

When someone asks how you are, what do you say?

Most of the time, you probably answer without thinking. “I’m fine.” It’s automatic. It keeps conversations smooth, relationships simple, and attention off of you.

But beneath that word, fine, there’s usually more. Fine can mean exhausted but functioning. Fine can mean quietly hurting but unwilling to burden anyone. Fine can mean lost, anxious, restless, but hiding it well enough that no one notices.

And when “fine” becomes the default, it slowly erodes you.