I went to Walmart before work this morning.

As I’m grabbing some soda, the Pepsi guy was in the aisle. “Good morning” he says to me.
“Good morning” I reply.
Him: “How are you doing?“
Me: “I’m alright, how are you?“
Him: “I’m good.“
*I continue to deliberate over which soda I want*
Him: “I am such a liar…“
Me: *looks over at the Pepsi guy* “So you aren’t good?“
Him: “Nah. It’s my first day back from vacation.“
Me: “Ah, those are always pretty rough.“
*awkward silence*
Then he walks over to the next aisle.

A lot of the time, we hide what and how we are really feeling because of pleasantries, or not wanting to burden someone. I could have been honest and told him my brain was torturing me over a situation that happened last night, but I didn’t… 1, because I don’t know him, and 2, because I just wanted to get on with my day.

However, if dude really needed to talk about how he’s not OK? I would have been a listening ear.

It’s OK to not be Ok, it’s OK to talk to people when you need to, and if you feel like a complete stranger is the one to talk to – ask if you can vent to them or whatever. I wouldn’t have minded.