Mental Health: The Daily Battle We Pretend Doesn’t Exist

Every morning, the world wakes up and puts on a mask. A mask of “I’m fine,” “Just tired,” or “Busy with work.” But behind that mask, how many of us are truly okay? We’ve all been there—staring at the ceiling at 2 AM, replaying conversations in our heads, overthinking things we can’t change. Or sitting in a crowded room, laughing at a joke while feeling completely detached inside.

Mental health isn’t just about depression or anxiety. It’s about the small, everyday battles—the ones we don’t talk about because we fear being judged or misunderstood. Some days, it’s the inability to get out of bed. Other days, it’s showing up, pretending everything is fine, and hoping no one notices the cracks beneath the surface.

We often think mental health struggles are grand, dramatic moments. But sometimes, they look like this: smiling while feeling completely numb inside, canceling plans because socializing feels exhausting, staring at your phone, wanting to reach out but not knowing what to say, or feeling guilty for resting because society glorifies being “busy.” We tell ourselves, “It’s just a bad day,” but when do bad days turn into bad weeks? Bad months? When does exhaustion turn into burnout?

We live in a world that praises productivity over well-being. Skipping meals, working late, and ignoring our emotions are seen as signs of dedication. But what happens when the mind can’t take it anymore?

What happens when we push ourselves so far that we forget how to slow down, how to breathe, how to feel?

We live in a world where physical pain is acknowledged, but mental pain is dismissed. If you break a leg, people rush to help.

But if you say, “I feel mentally exhausted,” you’ll probably hear: “It’s all in your head.” “Just think positive.” “Others have it worse, be grateful.” Would we ever tell someone with a broken leg to “just walk it off”? No. But when it comes to mental health, society still struggles to understand.

Mental health isn’t just an individual battle; it’s a collective responsibility. So what can we do?

First, we need to normalize rest without guilt. Rest isn’t laziness. Taking breaks, setting boundaries, and allowing yourself downtime is essential. You don’t need to “earn” rest—it’s a necessity, not a luxury.

Second, we need to listen without trying to “fix” everything. When someone shares their struggles, they don’t always need solutions. Sometimes, all they need is to be heard. Instead of saying, “You should try this,” say, “I hear you. I’m here for you.”

Another simple yet powerful thing we can do is check in on people beyond the usual

“How are you?”—which often gets a default “I’m fine.” Instead, try asking, “How have you been feeling lately?” or “Is there anything on your mind?” Sometimes, just knowing someone genuinely cares can make a huge difference.

We should also start speaking about mental health openly. It should be as normal to discuss as physical health. The more we talk about it, the more we break the stigma. And most importantly, we must learn to be kind to ourselves.

We are often our own worst critics. Would you talk to a friend the way you talk to yourself? If not, it’s time to change that inner dialogue.

If you’ve been struggling, know this: You are not alone. You are not broken. You are not “too much.” Mental health doesn’t always look like rock bottom; sometimes, it looks like functioning while feeling empty inside. But you deserve more than just “getting by.”

The first step? Acknowledging that your feelings are valid.

The second? Knowing that help—whether through friends, family, or professionals—is not a sign of weakness but of strength.

तू इधर उधर की बात ना कर, ये बता की क़ाफ़िला क्यों लूटा!

Because real strength isn’t about pretending to be okay.

It’s about having the courage to say, “

I need a moment.”

And that’s okay

मुझे रहजनों से गिला नहीं, पर तेरी रहबरी पर एतबार भी ना!!

Walk with reason, speak with purpose, and question everything because the world belongs to those who dare to think.

Until next time,

stay sharp, stay kind, and stay anomalous