I don’t know who needs to hear this, but:

Today, for the first time, I reached out to my boss to talk about current circumstances. Because as I’ve shared on twitter but not at all in my work environment, I’ve been struggling.

(con’t)

So my boss called me today, and for the first time, when someone from work asked how I was, I didn’t say okay. I didn’t say alright. I didn’t say nothing.

I said “not so great, actually”.

And here’s how that went.

(con’t)

As soon as I answered truthfully, with my voice shaking, they heard me. And I heard the attention they were now giving me.

Where I had felt I would be a bother, and just another person not able to figure out how to continue, those worries were immediately laid to rest.

(con’t)

When they realized that I’ve been quietly struggling, and not verbally as others apparently have, they instantly realized they had been overlooking those struggling in silence.

They said it had not been intentional whatsoever, and that they would take immediate action.

(con’t)

Meanwhile, I learned that people from work have in fact also been struggling.

I had heard from only two colleagues that they have also been struggling. Everyone else had been answering “good” when asked how they’ve been doing.

(con’t)

I had been worrying that my own problems were not that of my bosses. I figured that general offers to “talk if you need to” were referring to if you needed help with tasking, not if you were struggling to get up and function every day.

Thankfully, I was wrong.

(con’t)

I have many critical takeaways from this, as did they (which they expressed gratitude for learning).

I am not alone in struggling with work.

My boss wants to hear from me, and will now be reaching out to check in.

It’s okay to be struggling.

(con’t)

Most importantly, and I cannot stress this enough:

Don’t suffer in silence. People care.

Please reach out to someone, especially at work, if you need help. Any help. Don’t box people into what they’ll be willing to listen to and help with.

Anyway, I hope this helps someone.

Be vulnerable. Don’t struggle with additional struggles of feeling alone or unheard piled on top of everything else. You don’t need that.