But what I didn’t realize was how damaging that mindset could be. I had nowhere safe to talk or release my stress. Over time, those bottled-up emotions built into an overwhelming storm. I found myself crying in private, breaking down after holding it all in for so long. At first, I didn’t recognize that I needed help. I thought I just had to push through, stay strong like I had always been told. But holding in all that stress was not healthy mentally, emotionally, or physical