Not ok is ok

You have the right to say: I'm not ok

—It’s not weakness. It’s honest survival.

“Stay strong.”
“You have to learn to love yourself.”
“You can’t go on like this.”

We’ve all heard those lines—
sometimes, we even say them to ourselves.

But the truth is: some days, we just can’t hold it together.
We don’t want more pep talks.
We’re tired of pretending we’re fine.

When I say “I’m not ok,” I mean it.
Not because I’m weak, lazy, or giving up—
but because I’ve been holding on for too long without breathing properly.

In a world that expects us to perform, to show up like nothing’s wrong,
saying “I can’t do this anymore”
isn’t giving up—it’s being real.
And being real takes guts.

You don’t have to wait until you’re cornered,
gasping for air,
before you’re allowed to say: “I’m not ok.”

You deserve a world where you don’t have to keep holding it in.

We all need a space where we don’t have to fake strength,
where “I’m fine” isn’t required to keep the peace.

We all deserve a kind of connection
where you can say,
“I just want to be quiet today.”
And the other person simply lets you.

If you haven’t found that place, or that person—
then here, at least, you’re understood.

Every person who says “I’m not ok”
is someone who’s still trying.

You woke up today.
You walked into that job that drains the life out of you.
You took the meds. You held back the pain.
You made it through another night no one else saw.
You’re still here.
And that, too, is brave.

It’s not just the bright and happy days that count.
Living through the shadows,
staying honest in the pain,
saying “I’m not ok” in the middle of chaos—
that matters too.

So when you’re ready,

say it quietly: “I’m not ok.”
You might be surprised—
that’s not the end.
It could be the start of something real.

—

Every Untie bow is not just an accessory.
It’s proof that someone chose to live honestly—
even if just for today.