This was me right after making my Father’s Day video yesterday.

I held it together for the video, but afterward I let myself feel it. I cried, I prayed, and I gave it to God.

Not because the pain magically disappeared, but because healing starts when you stop pretending you’re okay.

Before my children woke up, I released what I needed to release. Not because I wanted to hide my emotions, but because I never want my unhealed pain to become their burden to carry.

If you’re hurting, feel it. Talk about it. Pray about it. Cry if you need to.

It’s okay to not be okay. Just don’t pretend that you are. #HealingJourney #Healing #itsokaytonotbeokay #Stoppretending #GiveittoGod

6/23 Edited to

... Read moreFrom personal experience, I’ve found that true healing often begins only after we stop pretending everything is fine. Seeing pain as a natural and necessary part of recovery has made a huge difference in how I cope with difficult emotions. It’s not about weakness but about honesty with ourselves and others. Many people believe crying or admitting hurt is a sign of failure or attention-seeking, but in truth, it’s the opposite. These moments of vulnerability help us process grief and gain strength. Letting out the pain prevents it from accumulating and eventually affecting those we love, especially children. Incorporating prayer or meditation can offer comfort and a sense of surrender that eases the burden. I’ve noticed that swapping silence for open conversations about what hurts helps create healing communities where support is freely given. The phrases from the post’s images resonate deeply—"Stop pretending. Start healing." and "Crying doesn’t make you weak"—highlight the transformative power of embracing our emotions. By sharing struggles openly, we can break harmful cycles and teach the next generation healthy emotional expression. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember it’s perfectly okay to not be okay. Allow yourself the space and grace to feel, speak, and heal on your own terms. The journey toward healing is unique, but the first step is always the courage to stop pretending and start being real with yourself and others.

Related posts

A celebratory image with text "I FOUND THE RING HE WAS HIDING Swipe" over a hand wearing a ring and a person wearing a tiara, indicating an engagement announcement.
A detailed image of an elaborate engagement ring featuring a large oval pink diamond surrounded by a double halo of smaller white diamonds, with diamond-encrusted side stones and band.
A simple and classic solitaire engagement ring with a round brilliant-cut diamond set in a plain silver-toned band, representing the desired ring style.
I found the ring he was hiding & I’m not a fan 😭
I’ve been with my boyfriend for 5 years and he literally is my soulmate. He’s given me the same energy since the day we met and I knew I was going to spend my life with him since our 1st date. 🔐🩷 When I say this man knows me, I mean it. He knows me better than I know myself (crazy I feel this wa
Princess Frenxh

Princess Frenxh

4618 likes

So i guess i was right about the pigment🫢
I love how it came out!! #foryou #lipgloss #lipglossbusiness
baciamilips

baciamilips

5317 likes

A person in a dark green bikini sits on a sandy beach under a blue sky, looking away from the camera. Text overlay reads "tattoos I regret" and "Lemon8 @mai.tinaa."
A person's arm displays a tattoo of the word "EUPHORIA." Text explains it's dedicated to BTS's song, noting a recent song with the same title doesn't hold the same meaning.
A person's ankle shows a fine-line flower tattoo, described as a dedication to her mom with poorly executed lines. An inset image shows a darker cherry blossom tattoo covering the original.
i got tattoos right as i turned 18✨
which, probably was not the smartest idea. i had hills and hills of ideas that i wanted done, but really no thought to them besides the fact that i “wanted” them so badly. this of course, leads to the conclusion that i do have tattoos that i regret; although not many, still some. - “euphoria” |
t 🤍

t 🤍

3289 likes

Kinda missing “Pilot” right now☹️💔
Madison Bailey

Madison Bailey

2293 likes

A hand holds a thick book, viewed from the side, with red overlay text "PLOT TWISTS DONE RIGHT." The bottom left corner shows "Lemon8 @khloemyers."
A hand holds the book "Never Lie" by Freida McFadden, featuring a black couch on the cover. Text describes the plot of the book. The bottom left corner shows "Lemon8 @khloemyers."
A hand holds the book "Pretty Girls" by Karin Slaughter, featuring a gold necklace with a spider pendant on the cover. Text describes the plot of the book. The bottom left corner shows "Lemon8 @khloemyers."
Plot Twists Done Right
Here are two examples of books with plot twists that were DONE RIGHT! 1. Never Lie by Freida McFadden This book blew me away!!! Easily a 5 star read! 2. Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter This book is very dark and twisty, and I was on the edge of me seat through the entire thing! #lemon8p
Khloemyers

Khloemyers

527 likes

A graphic comparing "WHAT I ASKED FOR" (a woman with long Cuban twists) and "WHAT I GOT swipe!" (a woman with similar twists taking a mirror selfie). Arrows point down, indicating a swipe.
A woman with dark Cuban twists, styled with baby hairs, wearing a grey sweatshirt, takes a mirror selfie. She wears multiple necklaces and earrings, showcasing her new hairstyle.
A side-by-side comparison showing a woman with dark Cuban twists in a mirror selfie (the result) alongside a smaller inset of the inspiration image. Text reads "side by side look."
DID MY STYLIST DO ME RIGHT???
this was my first time ever doing a style like this and I’m actually so happy with how it came out! what do you think? def a summer style im obsessed with 🥰 these are cuban twists. I luv my stylist she’s an absolute gem. Until next time:)~ Celeste🧃 #blackhairstyles #HairStyle #hairst
celeste ☆

celeste ☆

919 likes

things i was while pregnant
dog mom & waitressing while pregnant, let’s talking about it. first off, me and my fiancée lived with our parents when we found out we were expecting.. that made things difficult. BUT, being a dog mom was still the normal, she came with us everywhere still and she loved it. Being a waitre
Faith Madison

Faith Madison

710 likes

A pink gradient background with the black text overlay: "I wish there was an app for my Boyfriend." The Lemon8 logo and username are at the bottom left.
A pink gradient background with black text explaining an app that connects to stores and Pinterest to send hints to a boyfriend. The Lemon8 logo and username are at the bottom left.
A collage of various flower arrangements and gift boxes, including pink tulips and roses, with the text "Example email or add: 'How to pick the right flowers for your girl'".
If only there was an app 📱 for that ❤️‍🔥
I love my boyfriend, he’s literally the perfect man but he’s so so so at giving gifts and that’s one of my love languages 💝 I will hear something someone says a year ago and make a mental note of it and make that a gift or a piece together intonation they sprinkle in conversation and know exactly w
Chalie_Baker

Chalie_Baker

366 likes

I thought this was a safe place for us FEMALES!
- Life been lifinggg; but i’m here ❤️.. Also, while i’m here right now.. i honestly thought this was a safe place for us females, i am now starting to get a bunch of DMs from guys & it’s annoying asf.. who sent them? like fr.. i’m starting to feel like maybe i should just stick with my other so
Angelic💋

Angelic💋

483 likes

Right, it was HUGE actually 🥹
insane… #snorkeling #caribbean #beachlife #islandlife #beachgirl
Coco

Coco

927 likes

I Wish I Knew About Periods When I Was Younger
When I got my first period, I remember feeling confused, embarrassed, and a little scared. No one really talked about it openly, and everything I knew came from awkward school lessons or whispered conversations with friends. Now, looking back, there are so many things I wish someone had told me. If
Doc Bezz

Doc Bezz

351 likes

A black mirrorless camera with a lens and strap, positioned on a gray surface, with text indicating a review of the camera.
A top-down view of a black camera with a lens and strap, accompanied by text discussing its long-term value and positive impact on creativity.
A close-up of a camera kit lens with a lens hood, on a gray textured surface, with text describing it as a good starter lens for photography.
Was The Sony A7iii The Best Investment I Made? 🤔📸
Is the Sony A7iii worth it as a hobbyist, as a photographer, as a creator, for my career? 🤔 Let's go through my thoughts together. I bought the Sony A7iii as a gift to myself for my birthday in May 2021. I'd just left my job as a Teaching Assistant to pursue being a full time social m
digitally.kate

digitally.kate

108 likes

This one was a bit disappointing 😓
I was excited to show you this bag, but it's not one of my best finds😓. It came with auth certs, but the box was badly damaged. The bag is spacious, and the logo and hardware are right, but the quality is disappointing—it's clearly plastic 😭. It looks good, but it's not worth the price
Fence Finds 💛

Fence Finds 💛

25 likes

A woman lies in a hospital bed, wearing a gown, with a nasal cannula and an IV in her hand. Another person's hand gently rests on her head. The image includes the text "I was shot in the headlights of my car."
I was shot in the headlights of my car..
On August 30th, 2022. I was shot in the headlights of my car, while walking in light from my headlight, only feet away from my fiancé, I was shot in the back with an AR15. I have been an ER nurse for 13+ years, so the moment I collapsed on the ground I knew I was paralyzed.. all I remember at tha
Angelwithastethoscope

Angelwithastethoscope

3486 likes

A laptop displaying a Korean movie title and white headphones rest on a striped blanket. Overlay text reads 'THE 16 BEST MOVIES on Hulu Right Now,' with a Lemon8 logo and username at the bottom.
Four movie posters are displayed: 'The Creator' featuring John David Washington, 'Theater Camp' with its ensemble cast, 'No One Will Save You' showing a house under alien light, and 'How to Blow Up a Pipeline' with a smoky title.
Four movie posters are shown: 'Infinity Pool' with Mia Goth and Alexander Skarsgård, 'Rye Lane' featuring David Jonsson and Vivian Oparah, 'Triangle of Sadness' depicting a luxury cruise ship, and 'Bruiser' with a dog tag.
The 16 Best Movies on Hulu Right Now 🎥
1.The Creator (2023) For fans of: Isaac Asimov, the singularity John David Washington, The Creator Year: 2023 Director: Gareth Edwards Stars: John David Washington, Gemma Chan, Allison Janney, Madeleine Yuna Voyles Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Drama Rating: PG-13 Metacritic score: 63 Rogue One d
Rachelle Smith

Rachelle Smith

114 likes

A person holds a tablet box, with a small dog's head visible. Overlaid text reads "HOW I CHOSE MY IPAD" and "My decision making process," indicating a guide to selecting a tablet.
A graphic outlines the initial decision to buy a tablet, influenced by a social media platform. It then compares different tablet models, noting pros and cons, with the "Air" model highlighted.
This graphic compares two tablet generations, favoring the "Air" model for its capabilities and compatibility. It also details the selection of storage capacity (256GB) and a unique purple color.
Which iPad is right for you?
As you can tell, I LOVE MY NEW IPAD 💜 Which one do you have or want to get? I gotta admit… #apple makes good products 🙄 #appleproducts #lemon8diary #lemon8creator #ipad #shoppingtherapy #showmethereasonyourebrokeaf
MINKO

MINKO

1039 likes

Mr. RIGHT🥹
Leaving a 4 year entanglement 😂😂 and fell into the arms of my dream man💗 do yall believe i was scared to give him a chance? Now i cant picture NOT giving him one. This is just a token he literally does so much for me mentally 🥹 #unfiltered #Lemon8Diary #love #lovelife #flowers #myman
Justsogorgjas

Justsogorgjas

26 likes

Best affordable portable washer brand?
Hello everyone. I live in an apartment and don’t have my own washer/dryer. The ones they have available in our complex are horrible and are always being used at all hours of the day (there’s not enough for how many people live here) and/or don’t work. I’ve seen a few portable washer like new or
Aurelia

Aurelia

90 likes

👉🏽Swipe right the see them individually
Which one was/is your favorite? #publix #clearlycanadian #throwback they also come in #sugarfree …. I definitely want to try the sugar free pineapple one 🍍 #springbreak #stayhydrated 😊
DaRealFoodie🍴

DaRealFoodie🍴

1486 likes

A bottle of foundation labeled "FIT me Matte + Poreless" for normal to oily skin, presented on a white fluffy surface.
A light-colored stick product, identified as contour, with "OGEE" written on it, resting on a white fluffy surface.
A tube of "Essentially Ageless Hydrating Serum Concealer" with a black cap, displayed on a white fluffy surface.
My fav makeup right now 🫶🤍
Makeup tutorial coming soon🧝🏽‍♀️ #makehimmissyou #makeup 💄 #my makeup was fire this day 🤯 #my makeup looks so light #makeup that i love ❤️ #makeupforbeginner #makeupforbeginners #makeup #makeup bag #makeuproutine
Rahima Rahimi

Rahima Rahimi

44 likes

How to plan right from your desktop: 🤓
I love digital planning but sometimes you can spend more time on the planning app making everything look cute than you do actually getting your tasks done I have been using this desktop planning method for a couple of years and through some refinement it was been a really good tool to keep me on
Moriah Ackerman

Moriah Ackerman

245 likes

See more