Off Script: Stories & Soul Talk

In today’s society, the world has led us to believe that we need to have everything. We are supposed to have high-paying jobs, be in great relationships, have friends, take trips, go out, be interesting, and stay busy, because if you are not, then you are lazy. You have to be a therapist, be a great parent, and be everything else under the sun. All this while being mentally stable, emotionally ready, and physically capable of taking on whatever comes your way. I’m here to tell you that may be the case for some, but it has not been for me. I have battled depression for many years and did so without meds because I just didn’t want to be reliant on medication to get me through my day.

Some days, you may just want to stay in bed and be a little lazy. Some days, you will be so emotionally drained that thinking about anything other than the time to go to bed is too much. It’s okay to not be okay. Some days, we will be able to take on the world and be the best that our family and friends need. But there will be days when you won’t be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and you will have everyone around you trying to give you pep talks and be encouraging. That’s great, but not what you need or want. What you really want is someone to hear you out and not compare or diminish how you are feeling. You want someone to hear you, see you, and to just listen to you. What you want is someone to tell you that it’s okay to not be okay.

We don’t always have to have things together, and with social media dictating how we should perceive our lives, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be more than what we currently are. It’s okay if you don’t go to college. It’s okay if you’re not married with 2.5 kids yet. It’s okay that you’re not financially stable at the moment. It’s okay if you’ve had a few setbacks. It’s okay to be selfish and prioritize your well-being before others. It’s okay to say no to things that you don’t want to do. We have to realize that it is okay not to be okay all the time. I have learned that we need to show more grace and mercy to ourselves. Life is not easy, but when we take it one day at a time, we can make it through.

Some things that have helped me over the years to help with my depression are:

1. Getting into the Word of God. This may work for some but not all; it has worked for me. Putting God first and letting Him know about my troubles has helped me to offload some of the feelings that I was holding on to that didn’t belong to me.

2. Surround yourself with good friends and family. Not everyone who is close to you will want to see you succeed, so surround yourself with people who are intentional with you. You need a good support system, and having key people you can rely on will help tremendously on those not-so-great days.

3. Set boundaries. This is a challenging thing for people to do, and you have probably heard it a million times, but establishing boundaries is necessary for your well-being. When you clearly communicate what you will and will not do, it will keep you at peace and stress-free because you are not worrying about unnecessary things. If someone crosses the boundaries you have set, you must know when to cut them off. Let them know that until they respect you and your boundaries, communication is no longer happening.

4. Make time for you. As much as we want to be everywhere and everything to everyone, we can’t. Know your limits, and stop yourself when things start to become too much. Set aside time in your day or week that is devoted to just you and God. If you are not religious, still set that time away from everyone and everything. If necessary, set a do-not-disturb message and turn off your phone for a short while.

5. Seek therapy for any underlying issues. This is the most important thing you can do because, whether you realize it or not, sometimes the things we do stem from unresolved trauma at some point in our lives. Take back your life and get the tools and help to properly heal. I am on this journey as well, so know that you are not alone.

Reaching a state of true happiness and inner peace will take some time, but you owe it to yourself to achieve that. Though I can’t hug you in real life, I’m hugging you now and saying that it is okay to not be okay. You are loved, appreciated, and thought of. Just take life one day at a time.

Here are a few verses that have brought me comfort in my toughest times:

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. ~ Matthew 6:34

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? ~ Luke 12:25-26

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, ~ Hebrews 6:19

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. ~ Isaiah 40:29

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. ~ James 5:16

I hope this encourages someone in a positive way. If you ever need an outlet or for someone just to hear you, I’d love to hear your thoughts, experiences, feelings, or any tips that have helped you navigate those moments. This is a safe space—open, vulnerable, and rooted in respect. If there’s a story on your heart or a truth you’ve been holding in, you’re invited to share it here.

Drop a comment, DM @OffScriptSST on IG, or email offscriptstories@gmail.com to join the conversation.

Love always, TK