Pain Isn't a Competition

Do you ever feel guilty for talking about your struggles? It's natural to feel this way, especially when you’re comparing your struggles to others. But let me remind you of something very important: pain isn’t a competition. Just because someone else might have it harder doesn’t mean your feelings aren’t valid. You’re allowed to feel sad, tired, or overwhelmed.

Your experiences are yours, and they matter. It’s okay to feel grateful for the good things in your life and still feel weighed down by the hard things. Both can coexist. Feeling this way doesn’t make you ungrateful, it makes you human.

Guilt often shows up when we’ve been taught to downplay our struggles because "someone else has it worse.” But think of it this way: if your friend came to you feeling sad or tired, would you tell them their feelings don’t matter because someone else is struggling more? Of course not. You’d comfort them and let them know that their pain is real. Extend that same compassion to yourself.

If there’s one thing to take away, let it be this: You are allowed to feel this way. It doesn’t mean you're 'extra' or ungrateful, it's just being human. Be kind to yourself, you deserve it.

Oma from MANI