“I’m Fine.” Are You?

I’ve got a terrible, no good, very bad case of plantar fasciitis and a bone bruise.

It started with the slightest pain, seemingly out of nowhere. Because, let’s be clear: if you see me running, someone is chasing me. I don’t work out much, and when I do, it’s usually weights at home, hot yoga, or water aerobics.

I love water aerobics.

The problem is, I felt that little bit of pain and ignored it. Then, little by little, I started limping.

Last week, I got home from a long trip after midnight. My suitcase was open, things were flying out of it, per usual, and my blow-dry brush was out—with its three-prong plug.

I stepped right on it. Full force.

Picture stepping on a thousand Legos.

I grimaced in pain and slid into bed because I was exhausted. But stepping on that plug had made an already painful situation so much worse.

I finally called a doctor and got an appointment.

He looked at my X-ray, and the first question he asked was, “Are you a mom?”

I was taken aback. I thought he’d ask about joints, ligaments, bruising, or my pain level. You know, something medical.

“Yes.”

“Well, that explains it. Moms put off their pain because they’re so busy being moms. They put their own pain to the side.”

Then he asked if I’d Googled what it might be.

Of course I had.

He told me I had a bone bruise and asked if I’d stepped on anything.

That would be the plug.

He reminded me that putting off care can make things worse and mean a longer recovery.

It got me thinking about those two little words:

“I’m fine.”

Are you?

Grace had what looked like a pimple above her front tooth. We thought it was just a pimple, so we gave it a few days. It turned out to be an infection, and now two of her baby teeth have to be pulled.

How often do you feel something that isn’t quite right and say, “I’m fine”?

I know so many people dealing with pain or other concerns who shrug them off as though they’re just something to tolerate.

I did it, too.

If I’d kept putting off care for my foot, I could have ended up on crutches and in a boot for six to eight weeks. As it stands, I have a boot I wear at night that holds my foot at a 90-degree angle. I need physical therapy, and I’m taking pain medication.

Had I put off Grace’s dentist appointment longer, things could have been far worse than two baby teeth being pulled.

My point?

STOP. Full stop.

Do a head-to-toe check-in.

What hurts? What have you been ignoring? What do you need right now to feel healthy, supported, and cared for?

I once read that you should schedule NOTHING in your planner. Literally write the word “nothing.”

No appointment. No errand. No obligation.

Just a reminder to your heart, body, mind, and soul to stop and breathe.

Remember:

• If you’re lonely, call a friend.
• If your knee hurts, call your orthopedist.
• If your foot hurts, pause and make that appointment.
• If your tooth hurts, call the dentist.
• If you’re feeling depressed or anxious, reach out to your psychiatrist or another mental health professional.

You deserve care, too.

Life is too short to simply tolerate it. I believe God wants us to live our lives, and part of living is paying attention when our bodies, minds, or hearts need help.

Lastly, try sending five to ten kind texts a day. Tell people you love them—and tell them what you love about them.

Loneliness can steal so much joy. Take a few minutes to send a kind message, check on a friend, or lean in and ask how someone is really doing.

Then make room for the answer.

It could make all the difference in the world.

And when someone asks how you’re doing, give yourself permission to say something besides “I’m fine.”