What it Really Means to Toughen Up

We all have an inner critic.

That voice in your head that says:“Other people have it worse.”“You should be stronger than this.”“You’re being dramatic—just deal with it.”“If you were doing life right, you wouldn’t need therapy.”

Sound familiar?

That voice is loud—and it's not just yours. It's been shaped by years of cultural messages, family dynamics, and even generational beliefs about what it means to be "strong."

We live in a world that praises independence and resilience, but often misunderstands what true strength looks like. Somewhere along the way, asking for help got confused with weakness. We were told to tough it out, man up, keep it together, or stop being so sensitive—and those messages sunk deep.

So when life starts to feel heavy, when anxiety or trauma bubbles up, when you know you're not okay but can’t explain why—your inner critic kicks in. And instead of reaching out, you retreat. You push it down. You keep surviving...but never really feel like you’re living. This is a key part of being a human who survived trauma, but also a key part of what stops you from being a human who loves their life.

The Truth? That Voice Is Lying to You.

Needing support isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom.

There’s a difference between coping and healing. Coping keeps your head above water. Healing teaches you how to swim.

And healing requires help.

That’s where therapy comes in—not because you’re broken, but because you’re human. And because the things you’ve carried weren’t meant to be carried alone.

Work With Someone Who Gets It

Kim Hernandez at 12:2 Counseling knows this struggle intimately. As someone who carried it alone for far too long, Kim knows in detail what it feels like to try your best to talk yourself into feeling better hour by hour, day by day until you lose track of how to keep going. That is when Kim found help, hope, and healing. Now, as an EMDR trauma therapist herself, she specializes in helping people move past that internal critic and find clarity, confidence, and peace on the other side of it. Whether you’re dealing with “little t” traumas, anxiety, or simply the exhaustion of always holding it together, Kim offers a grounded, compassionate approach that helps you finally breathe again.

You don’t have to prove anything to anyone. You just have to show up.

Want to Talk First?

Kim offers a free 15-minute consult—no pressure, just a conversation.

📧 122counseling@gmail.com📞 Call or text: 970-281-5303

You’ve been strong for a long time. Let’s redefine what strength looks like—and give that inner critic a little rest.