Who knew my eye appointment would turn into a mini therapy tour with enlightening conversations?
👀Stop #1: The Eye Appointment Conversation👓
After my exam, I was talking to the girl who was ordering my contacts. At first, she wasn’t exactly warm — not rude, just that “let’s get this done” vibe. Honestly? I wasn’t in a super social mood either.
But I kept talking. Small talk turned into real talk, and before I knew it, she was telling me about her sister, her mom (who she didn’t always see eye to eye with), how she’s overwhelmed with three boys, and how she just needs to escape sometimes. She even mentioned her girlfriends never want to do anything without their husbands — and how isolating that feels.
Somewhere in the middle, I gave her the info for the blog. By the end, she laughed and said, “Wow, I didn’t expect to talk this much.” Without missing a beat I said, “…like a therapy session?” She laughed harder. “Oh my god, yes.”
📚Stop #2: The Barnes & Noble Conversation📚
Miraculously, I walked out without buying a single book — but I did grab something from the Starbucks inside.
The barista, Amanda — probably in her 30s — took my order. When I went to pick it up, she smiled and said, “Oh my god, I love your shirt.”
I hesitated for a split second (do I tell her it’s my blog? will I sound like I’m pitching?), but I went for it: “Thanks — it’s a blog I created for women who are pretending everything is okay.”
She grinned, held her arms outstretched with one leg kicked behind her, and said, “See? This is me pretending everything’s okay.”
I told her she’s not alone. She looked right at me and said, “Neither are you.”
📢❗🚨The Big Reminder
No matter how bad my mental state gets — and trust me, there are days — moments like these remind me why I started Women Are Not Okay.
This isn’t just a blog or a shirt. It’s a message that resonates with women I’ve never met before, in places I never expect it. And it reminds me that even when I’m tired, unsure, or feeling like my own life is a mess, I have to keep going.
Because this is why I do it.
Because we’re not alone.
Because women are so not okay — and we’re tired AF of pretending.
💬 Your turn: Have you ever had an unexpected, deep conversation with a stranger? Share your story in the comments — you never know who might relate.