A cracked mug

We all feel vulnerable sometimes. ⠀ During the long nights that rid us of our sanity.⠀
The challenging days that test our patience like no other.⠀
The moments of self-doubt about all aspects of our parenting which kick us when we are down.

You feel weaker than normal. You question everything. You feel like you are going to break.
All of the good that you have done is overshadowed by the bad.⠀
All of the happiness is clouded by sadness.⠀
All of the positives are intercepted by the negatives.⠀ ⠀
It is in these moments that you are challenged the most. ⠀ ⠀

Like the old mug you have had for years and rely on every day to comfort you, sometimes you break. It may be a small chip, a tiny crack or a complete shatter but we must remember that it is an important part of life.⠀ If we didn’t break sometimes, we would have no reason to grow. We would be naïve and complacent. We would not know what it is to be vulnerable.⠀ ⠀

The thing is, the chip doesn’t make the cup incapable of use. You are aware of it and drink around it. ⠀
The crack isn’t incapable of mending. You do what you can to make the cup drinkable again. ⠀
A full shatter sometimes happens. It is from this you learn the most. You clean up the pieces and buy a new mug, making sure you do things differently next time.⠀ ⠀

Some people don’t share their mug, some do. Some people only share their mug with their loved ones, others with those who will listen.⠀ Everyone has their reasons. ⠀

However, we need to remember that sharing your mug of vulnerability doesn’t make you weak, it shows that you are strong. ⠀
Strong enough to open yourself up to judgement.⠀
Strong enough to expose yourself to criticism.⠀
But above all, strong because despite the possible adversity you open yourself up to, you carry on sharing knowing that it may help one other person drink around the chip, fix the crack or buy a new mug.