You know you've been lonely for too long when someone asks how are you and you can feel yourself giving the performance answer before you've even decided whether to tell the truth - Silicon Canals

""The thing about performing okay for long enough is that you start to forget you're performing. It becomes who you are. The mask becomes your face.""

""Loneliness isn't just about being alone. I learned that after I retired. Suddenly I had all this time, but I didn't know how to use it.""

""I'd spent so long telling everyone I was fine that I'd forgotten how to admit when I wasn't.""

""A buddy of mine called to check in. Asked how I was doing. I started to give him the usual song and dance, but he stopped me.""

Superficial responses to inquiries about well-being have become the norm, with phrases like 'I'm fine' masking deeper struggles. Many individuals, after years of performing okay, forget their true feelings and identities. This performance can lead to feelings of loneliness and confusion, especially after significant life changes like retirement. The realization of this facade often comes when someone genuinely asks about their well-being, prompting a moment of reflection and honesty about their struggles.

Read at Silicon Canals