Day 11: We All Carry Something On Our Shoulders
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My mum once went to the shops with a mouse on her shoulder. We had pet mice, and she was cleaning the cage, so she put one in her pocket — and forgot about it. As she’s walking around the shops, this creepy rodent climbs out and sits on her shoulder.
No one said a word. People just gave her a wide berth and a few funny looks — but mostly, they ignored her.
When she got home and saw herself in the mirror, she freaked out.
It got me thinking: mental illness is kind of like that mouse. Sometimes we walk around with things on our shoulders — anxiety, depression, PTSD — and people see it, but they don’t say anything because they’re not sure how.
If you see someone struggling, don’t ignore them. Don’t keep your distance.
Engage. Ask. Listen.
You never know — you might be the very person who gets them through the day.
Let’s Talk
Sometimes the hardest part of mental ill-health isn’t the chaos inside — it’s the silence outside.
You know something’s wrong. You feel it in your chest, in your sleep and you carry it quietly like a mouse on your shoulder — weird, twitchy, unwanted — but no one seems to notice. Or worse, they notice and still say nothing.
People give you space, but not support. They sense something, but they’re afraid to ask. And that silence can feel like rejection.
So you become a master of pushing through. You get through the day. You keep moving, but deep down, the weight builds — and so does the loneliness.
If that’s where you are today, you’re not crazy. You’re not weak. You’re not invisible. You’re just tired… and being tired isn’t a sin — it’s a signal.
God sees what others miss. He knows what you’re carrying, even if no one else does. And He doesn’t pull away — He draws near.
You’re allowed to name it. You’re allowed to speak it out. You’re allowed to stop pretending.
Growth and healing doesn’t start when everyone else finally gets it. It starts when you do — when you give yourself permission to stop hiding, and start getting set free.
Scripture
“You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.”
— Psalm 10:17 (NIV)
Mental Health Moment
Mental illness can feel like carrying a backpack full of bricks — invisible to others, but crushing all the same.
We’re not always bleeding on the outside, but we’re breaking on the inside. Longing to be seen… and scared we might be.
As Brené Brown says, “Connection is why we’re here. It’s what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.”
You don’t need everyone to understand — just one person who listens. A friend. A GP. A counsellor. A pastor. Growth begins there.
And if you’re the friend on the outside? You don’t need to fix it. You just need to notice. Just stay. That’s more powerful than you think.
Practice for Today
If you’re the one struggling:
Write down what your “mouse on the shoulder” looks like right now.
What’s crawling all over your thoughts?
What are you pretending isn’t there?
Then speak this out loud (even quietly):
“This is real. I’m not making it up. But I’m not walking through it alone.”
If you’re supporting someone:
Text a friend who’s been quiet or seems off.
Say something like:
“Hey, I just wanted to check in. No pressure to talk, but I’m here if you need.”
A Prayer for the Invisible
Lord,
Sometimes I feel like I’m carrying something no one else can see.
It’s exhausting pretending I’m okay.
Help me stop hiding. Help me start healing.
Give me courage to speak.
Give others compassion to listen.
And remind me that even if no one else sees it —
You do. And You still love me.
men.
Reflection Prompt
Have you ever felt overlooked in your struggle?
What helped — or what would’ve helped?
How can you be that kind of presence for someone else this week?
