Are You Okay? | Spoken Word Poetry

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Lyrics

I’m usually pretty good at putting on a mask, I mean I do it all the time,
if anyone ever suspects something’s wrong, I shut them off with ‘I’m fine’.
But today I was really struggling, and I couldn’t find it within myself to force another smile.
It’s exhausting to keep up with this persona and I don’t want to live in denial.

But knowing that wasn’t an option I braced myself for another day.
Feeling myself getting agitated, hoping it’d go away.
Everything was going wrong, I could feel myself about to burst.
Emotions rushing to the surface, preparing myself for the worst.

But then I saw someone staring, like they could see right through me,
Sensing something was wrong they walked right to me.
After a long pause they said, ‘Are you okay?’
I had been asked this question many times before but there was something about the way in which they said it that made me feel like they actually cared what I had to say.
Struggling to keep myself together I could feel my insecurities on display.
My walls were crumbling down, I had a lump in my throat,
My eyes were tearing up as I clenched on to my coat.

My mask was my safety net - it helped me get through each day
The only thing I could rely on, to cover up the hurt and pain
and now my safety net was gone, I couldn’t find the right words to say
cause how do you tell someone you’re hurting, that you can’t remember the last time you were okay.
I couldn’t get myself to shrug it off, I couldn’t get myself to lie
I couldn’t force myself to put on a smile, not this time
I couldn’t make up some silly excuse, cause in this moment it didn’t feel right.
So I did the only thing I could, I broke down and cried.

They looked at me in a way no one has ever looked at me before,
They saw me with my guard down, the me no one ever saw.
They saw the bruised, the ugly, every humiliating flaw,
And despite all of it they accepted me, and wanted to know more.

They didn’t try to fix me but listened and gave me the choice,
and I didn’t want to run away this time, so I gave my problem’s a voice.
I talked and talked and talked, tears rushing down my face,
and they listened patiently and gave me a safe space.
No judgement, no pretence just love and support,
and through communication and patience we built up a rapport.
I had no idea how free it would feel to just get it off my chest.
After months of it building up inside me, I could finally release and rest.
Out of all the ways of dealing with it, who knew communication would be the best.

For the first time in a long time, I finally felt okay
Like I was heard and validated, like my feelings were justified in some way.
That it wasn’t my fault and I had no reason to hide.
If I just let all the anger out eventually the pain would subside.
The burden inside would offload and I’d feel a lot lighter,
My perspective on life would change and the world would become brighter.

See the thing is we didn’t just talk, we connected and engaged.
they opened themselves to me and made me feel safe,
so I’m extending the kindness further and hoping to do the same,
I’d like to ask anyone who’s struggling right now, are you okay?

[jazmingisellebecerra]

My "friends" dont even bother to ask me if im okay ..
I have no one to relay on but myself .

[angel_]

i hide my mental breakdowns and panic/anxiety attacks from my family. it's become a habit.

[leeasyy]

when you asked ''are you okay?'' something inside my broke down. i didn't cry during the whole video but then, i couldn't help it.

[tia]

Wow. Wow. Just wow. I don't know what to say because this one video made me burst into tears

[whateverworld]

Taz, you're like my last supply of oxygen that sends me back to earth to live once again. It's like meditation . You make me feel safe and belong to somewhere. I love u n if anyone hadn't told u this today, you're an amazing human being.

[beth]

i have a feeling i’m about to be sobbing by the end of this

[rhyb]

This was me the other day I could not force a smile for the first time and I was holding back tears since I got to school then my teacher made eye contact with me and asked me if I was okay and I couldn't find anything to say because I couldn't make myself smile and say I'm okay but I didn't know how to say I was hurt... somehow I held the tears and didn't break down but I just shrugged my shoulders and she asked what was wrong and I forced myself to say "nothing I'm okay" and walked back to my seat... I hate days like that it sucks that so many people like me have to feel like this daily it really breaks my heart :( people say "you're not alone" like it's a good thing but nobody should feel like this. I wish happiness was more powerful in more people lives ugh

[antigoni]

I'm not ok :(
I'm suicidal and depressed but no one knows that except me.. I've been hiding it 2 years now..

[janeikawebb]

Im stressed and I almost had a panic attack in school, I felt all the pre warning signs. I'm not okay I avoid my homework and assignments as an attempt to avoid stress. I thought I over came this but now that I'm in a new school I find myself being more and more insecure. But I'm glad you asked, now because you asked I feel a tad bit better

[daviebevan]

I just come back from a three hour course re: Depression.
This was held by the local Mental Health department.
They played this at the end of the course. I was listening and struggling to hold back the tears. The girl across the table was with tears down her cheeks, just to let you know I have subscribed. You are brilliant.

[zsofia_nagy]

This happened to me last year, before summer break when I was crying almost every day, losing track of school works, my grades getting worse, my school performance got worse and we had a presentation I didn't prepare for at all. I didn't even make it half way and I just cried. My class and teacher understood, because I've always put on a smile, always been the best student, always high grades and focus. But then and there I just couldn't continue holding that mask I had on for 3 years. I burst out in tears and everyone was quiet and patient. And then nobody asked me if I was okay. They just knew that I wasn't and respected my breakdown. So I resonate with this poem very, very much. It's insane how good you are! So real and raw! Love it❤️

[zaraayubi]

Made me cry at the end when she said “are u okay”

[tinyrolal]

This is how I felt all throughout 9th and 10th grade. I went to one of the top 3 schools in my city. It caused so much stress that I would break down. I would eat less. I would stay up all night just to complete every single project and homework assignment that was given to me. I had suicidal thoughts. At the end of 10th grade, I decided that I wasn't going to be miserable anymore. Now I'm in a new school and for once in my life, I am okay.

[Farah-jscg]

That came in just the right time, taz I'm struggling with the same aspects, I feel so in need to someone to listen ... but have no courage to try again cuz they made fun of me all the time, that I'm pretending ..that it's all in my head, when it's not ....I'm just tired. Of being ...tired

[sarakhan-kkbw]

I am not okay at all, feel alone and depressed, when u asked the question 'am I okay' ever emotional that is was hiding just came running down my eyes with tears..

[charlizeandmadesonmiradi]

I don't usually comment on people's videos but your videos have always inspired me after months and months of dealing with depression you were the person that spoke the exact feeling that was going through me x thank you for making these videos

[VinoVenitas]

"How do you tell someone you're hurting?" That was the line that really touched my soul. Amazing. Well done.

[briannaruano]

I was hanging out eith friends but I felt out of place and sad. My insecurities got the best of me and the one person who asked me if I was okay was the person who always says "I hate everyone." He is the only person who's ever said "I know you're not fine." Even though I was sad it was also the best feeling because I knew that someone finally cared. He'll always be very important to me and is the reason why I relate so much to this.

[wolfmaiden]

Taz this really speaks to me. I went so long just lying to people when they asked me if I was okay and in a way I got comfortable with the lie because it was all I knew. Then one day, it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but I let someone help me, I just decided there was no more lies. l It felt like I’d just let someone finally see the real me, stopped hiding years of pain and hurt and self hatred. It just all came out in a rush and I feel like I’m finally learning to trust again, because this person has become the platonic love of my life. They’ve seen the horrible ugly parts of me that I’ve been disgusted by, and despite everything I feel is wrong with me they still want me around and still continue to show me all the love and support I could ever ask for. I am so so lucky that I have this person in my life right now, they’re more than I could ever ask for.

[alisha]

I am not ok. I have bad anxiety that makes me unable to concentrate. I have attacks inside of me. I feel un comfortable. I can’t deal with it anymore. My problems, my feelings in my life aren’t as bad as others. But I don’t tell anyone bc I feel like they will judge me. I want that person taz was talking about to happen to me. I need someone like that. But. No. My problems are stupid, no one cares. So nevermind. I’ll keep it in another place inside my Brain. So I don’t annoy, or upset anyone by being a idiot and overreacting. It’s fine. I’ll smile and laugh like I’m okay cause I am right? I’m fine.