I was drinking my third cup of coffee for the day, laboring over my family’s income tax returns. Finally, I said out loud; I am exhausted. And, someone said, don’t be exhausted.

We often hold back on expressing our true feelings. We show a facade if you will. So why say everything is hunky-dory? Because if we dare say how we feel, it might seem like all is not well with us.

I say inspiring words to other people and very often to myself. My mantra is I am happy, healthy, loving, and whole, and I say these words to remind myself and others to acknowledge our status. Exhaustion should be temporary. You earn the right to be exhausted.

Olive Rose Steele is the Founder of Up-Close and Personal With your Local Authors and the author of AFTER ALL THIS TIME, Still