WHY I HATE BEING CALLED STRONG

I like being called physically strong. I workout to be physically strong. I want to be the girl who doesn’t need help putting heavy stuff in her shopping cart, can carry all her grocery bags in one load, can change the jug on the water cooler and can run fast if she was chased. My husband told me I was now too strong to massage him and needed to re-learn to dial it back a bit.

What I’m talking about is mentally and emotionally strong.

It is rare to see me cry, feel overwhelmed or break down. Does that make me strong? I am focussed and organized under pressure and trust myself enough that “I got this”. Recently, with the added stress of trying to fit it all in, I found myself bogged down being called strong.

Here’s why:

For many, many years’ friends and family have called me strong. Geeze, there are worst things to be called, but I couldn’t help but feel this word getting under my skin. What used to be a positive word suddenly had more of a negative influence on me. When I took a moment to really think about why it bothered me so much I came to this conclusion: I wanted to break down. I wanted help. I wanted to feel vulnerable for a moment. I wanted to lean on someone vs. the person to always be leaned on. It felt like none of that could happen. It was creating a block for my feelings and hindering my ability to see clearly. Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to wallow in my own pity and feel sorry for myself. It also doesn’t mean that I am an overly sensitive, emotional person. I want to give myself permission to cry when I need too, lean when I want to and lay down if I must.

I decided it wasn’t a badge of honour to be called strong. In fact, it has been holding me back all these years. It doesn’t make me feel less than because it’s o.k. to break down once in a while- feel vulnerable and need help. That “strong” title no longer has a hold on me.

What titles do you carry around that are holding you back?

PS. I will, however, take physically strong ;)

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All Out Training exists to help young moms and dads frustrated with their fitness levels and those with an unhealthy relationship with food to develop the skills needed to maintain a healthier lifestyle so they can lose weight, move better, feel stronger, have more self confidence & intimately feel their best.