Strong is a word that my parents have always used to describe me, it’s a characteristic that has come to define who I am. Here’s a list of five things strong people want you to know.

1. Being strong sets you apart from others.

It means you can go through the highs and lows in life and always come out smiling. I am proud of all the storms I have withstood, I am proud of the good days I laugh and remain happy, but I am tired. I am tired of always being the strong girl.

2. Strong people are the ones who are attacked even more because people do not notice that it truly affects you.

It’s not ok to attack strong people just because you can. A strong person can only stand tall through so much. It’s exhausting to always pretend like everything everyone does and says to me is ok, just because I’m “a strong girl.”

3. When you are labeled or known as the “strong person,” you feel like you have to be strong for those who cannot be.

You feel this constant need to be there for the ones who can’t be there for themselves. The strong people feel the need to hold other’s up, all while trying to hold themselves up. I love that I am strong enough to love people this much, it’s just exhausting how strong I am expected to be.

4. I need reassurance as much as you do.

People tend to think just because I am strong, I don’t need to be reminded that people are there, or that I am appreciated, or that they love me. Just because I am strong and waltz through life everyday with my head up, doesn't mean that I do not need reassurance. I need a reminder that there are people there who would be there when I don’t feel like being the strong person. It's exhausting to always feel alone.

5. Strong people can’t feel sorry for themselves.

I don’t like when people feel sorry for themselves. Let’s admit it - sometimes we all need to feel sorry for ourselves. Strong people don’t get to do that - ever. Strong people are expected to take the loss and move on, not thinking about it again. It's exhausting to feel like you have to be so strong all of the time.

Being strong is both a blessing and a curse. it's a blessing because you can stand through the wind, rain, storm, hell. It's a curse because you're expected to come out smiling.