I was told that I should always be strong. I should never let anyone get a glimpse of my weakness. I shouldn't break down. I must be tough and victorious in everything I do. That's what they keep on telling me. That's what they keep on hammering into my head.

Now, I'm beginning to realize that it might be the very reason why I didn't become that way. In fact, I became the exact contradiction. I grew weak, inadequate, and vulnerable. I do have my glorious my moments of triumph and victory. But when the soft breeze of life suddenly turns into a hurricane of hardships, I grumble in despair. I lose the ability to take control. I become helpless.

Why am I not allowed to commit mistakes?
Why am I not allowed to experience defeat?

They always make it seem like failure equates to disgrace.

But doesn't failure also mean opportunities to learn? Doesn't defeat make the taste of triumph a lot sweeter? Why wouldn't they ever let me embrace it?

It's just so perplexed how the people I'm supposed to be able to cry my heart out to are the very same people whom I'm hiding my tears from.