Sometimes I cry. A lot. And for what feels like no “good” reason.

When I feel overwhelmed or an abundance of emotion, my go-to is to cry. It is like lifting the cover off of a pot of boiling water and reducing the internal tension I carry with me.

What makes me cry?

Lately, it has been all sorts of reasons. Being exhausted (being a new mom can be hard AF). Worrying about my family and the state of the world we are existing in. Getting excited about something Everly did or when I get to snuggle with her. Watching a good movie or listening to a song that evokes joy, sorrow, or some other feeling deep within. Hugging my husband. Missing my husband. Feeling resentful. Worrying about money. Oh, the list could go on. Some reasons seem better than others. Some more legitimate or universally accepted. But the point is, they make me cry and there doesn't have to be some scale on which I measure the experience or act of crying itself by in order to determine whether or not it was or is good enough.

And yet, it happens all of the time. We are constantly evaluating whether or not we are "allowed" to feel a certain way and if the way in which we show it or feel it is "right". Now, don't get me wrong. I don't condone any expression of emotion that is rooted in hate, hurts other people (intentionally, specifically), or negates someone's rights or experience. That is not what is up for debate. Instead, I want us to think about how often we judge ourselves for having a feeling and then label that experience in a subjectively negative way.

Sometimes, you are going to cry.

Sometimes, your feelings will consume you.

Sometimes you will need to "let the steam out" and you didn't know it was there.

That is okay!

You have the right to do and experience this. Let yourself feel all of the feels. You are not weak. You are not less than. You are not better or worse for holding it in or letting it out.

Everyone cries.

Everyone feels.

Make space to get to know your emotions and allow yourself to get curious about them and work within, around, and through them.