When I agreed to this week’s writing prompt—interview someone and write a post based on their responses—I didn’t want to choose the easy path. I didn’t want light chatter or predictable answers. Instead, I chose to sit with someone who is currently carrying the weight of depression and anxiety.

It wasn’t an interview in the traditional sense. There were no neatly arranged questions or rehearsed replies. There was just the two of us, in a quiet room, where her silence said more than any words could.

When I asked her how she was, she didn’t answer right away. She stared at the floor, as though searching for something she couldn’t find. After what felt like forever, she whispered, “I feel like I’m living inside a storm no one else can see. On the outside, I’m smiling. On the inside, I’m exhausted.”

Her words lodged themselves in my chest. How many times have I scrolled past someone’s photo online, convinced they were okay, when in reality, their soul was quietly unraveling?

I asked her what keeps her going on the darkest days. Her voice trembled as she replied, “Sometimes nothing. Sometimes it’s just knowing that someone noticed. That I matter enough to be asked.”

That stayed with me. We underestimate the power of small kindnesses—the text message that says “I’m here,” the hand on the shoulder, the simple question, “How are you, really?” For someone wrestling with unseen battles, those moments can be lifelines.

Before we ended, I asked her what she wished the world understood about her struggle. She took a shaky breath and said, “That I don’t choose this. That I’m not weak, not ungrateful. I’m just human… and sometimes my mind feels heavier than my body can carry.”

Her honesty left me quiet. Because isn’t that what so many of us need? To be seen not for our productivity, our smiles, or our curated selves—but simply for being human.

Walking away from that conversation, I realized the lesson wasn’t about her alone. It was about all of us. How often do we rush past the ones we love, offering polite smiles but never stopping to really see them? How often do we mistake laughter for healing, or silence for strength?

If this post leaves you with anything, I hope it’s this:

Ask. Listen. Stay.

Even when you don’t know the right words, your presence can be the thread someone holds onto when everything else feels like it’s slipping away.

Because sometimes, the best interview isn’t about the questions. It’s about the courage it takes to sit with someone in their darkness—and the grace to remind them that they’re not alone.

💚 If you are struggling with depression, anxiety, or overwhelming thoughts, please know that you are not alone. Help is always available.

📞 UK

Samaritans: 116 123 (free, 24/7)

Mind: 0300 123 3393 or text 86463

NHS 111 for urgent mental health support

In an emergency, call 999

📞 Philippines

NCMH Crisis Hotline: 1553 (landline toll-free) Smart: 0918-873-4678

Globe/TM: 0966-351-4518

📞 United States

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 (24/7)

🌍 International

You can also find hotlines worldwide at findahelpline.com.

Please, if you need help—reach out. You matter more than you know.