Tired of Being the Strong One? The Hard Truth Behind Letting Go

Are you tired of being the strong one? The one everyone depends
on but rarely checks in with? That’s what we’re getting into
today… ewhat happens after you finally lay that weight down —
when you stop over-functioning, stop fixing, stop pretending
you’re okay… and the phone stops ringing.


What happens when you finally stop?
When you set the boundary? When you pause the all the doing?


It’s quiet. But instead of peace, you’re sitting in
discomfort. Maybe even grief.
Because what shows up after the pause — that silence, that
stillness — can feel personal.


In this episode, I’m talking about the uncomfortable part of
rest.
The identity crisis that shows up when you’re no longer being
needed every day.
And the emotional shift that happens when you’ve built your worth
on being dependable — and now you’re not sure who you are without
it.


If you’ve ever said, “I’m tired of being the strong one,”
this episode will hit home. I’m diving into what it
feels like to stop over-functioning, to rest, and to wrestle with
who you are when being needed isn’t your identity anymore.
If You’re Tired of Being the Strong One, Here’s What You’ll
Hear:



Why rest can feel like grief when your identity was built
around being needed




What it really feels like to stop over-functioning




The weight of being invisible when you stop doing everything




What the “but then what?” moment reveals about your support
needs




Why the pause is not failure — it’s the beginning of your
becoming


If you’ve been asking yourself:



Who am I if I’m not the strong one anymore?




Why do I feel so off when I finally rest?




What if nobody notices I’ve stopped showing up?




This episode is for you.


And  if you’re sitting in that “but then what?” space — and
it feels like too much to carry alone, let me hold space for you
in a 1:1 Support Session. 


These sessions aren’t about fixing. They’re about slowing down
and making room for the version of you who’s ready to be held
too. Book Your Support Session HERE .
Other Ways to Be Supported:


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What?”


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how you actually receive support best.


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Let’s Stay Connected:


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the strong one

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www.shadesofstrong.com





Related Episodes



Finding Support in the Pause


When Black Women Are Well, Everybody’s
Well


Learning How to Hold Yourself When Nobody Else
Does



Shirl is the creator of Support Languages and host of Shades
of Strong — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong
Black Woman to Supported Black Woman through language, rest,
and real support.