When the Weight Gets Heavy

Lately, waking up feels like losing a fight I didn’t even want to be in.

There are mornings when I open my eyes and the first thing I feel isn’t gratitude or hope — it’s dread.

A heaviness that sits on my chest before I’ve even taken a breath.

A quiet whisper in my head that says, “Not again… I don’t know if I can do another day like this.”

Depression doesn’t always look like crying.

Sometimes it looks like staring at the ceiling because getting up feels impossible.

Sometimes it looks like nothing — a numb, empty space where joy used to live.

And lately, it feels like I’ve been disappearing inside myself.

There’s a version of me that used to laugh easily, move freely, dream endlessly.

She feels like a ghost now — someone I visit in memories, someone I can’t carry into this life no matter how hard I try.

And I miss her.

God, I miss her.

Depression when you’re sick is its own kind of grief.

It’s mourning the life you had, the body you trusted, the future you thought you were walking toward.

It’s looking at the people you love and wondering if they’d be happier if you weren’t so much to take care of.

It’s feeling like a burden even when they swear you’re not.

It’s crying quietly because you don’t want to scare anyone.

It’s pretending you’re okay because you’re tired of explaining why you’re not.

It’s isolating yourself because you don’t want to keep disappointing people who still believe you’re “strong.”

The truth is… I’m tired.

Not in the “I need a nap” way — in the way where your soul feels worn down.

In the way where hope feels fragile, like if you breathe wrong it might shatter.

I’m tired of hurting.

I’m tired of fighting.

I’m tired of acting like I’m not scared.

Some days I feel like I’m sinking quietly in a room full of people who don’t notice how hard I’m trying to stay afloat.

I smile, I nod, I say “I’m fine,” but inside I’m screaming for just one day that doesn’t feel like a mountain.

But even on the days when the darkness feels like it’s swallowing me, I remind myself of this:

I’m still here.

Bruised, exhausted, heartbroken — but here.

And if you’re reading this and you feel this way too… you’re here too.

And that matters.

Even if it doesn’t feel like enough, even if it feels like you’re drowning, even if you don’t know what tomorrow looks like — staying is brave.

Staying is strength.

And staying is enough.

🐾 Mojo’s POV

“Mom’s eyes look heavy today. I can tell because she doesn’t talk as much and she holds her breath a lot.

So I lay right against her chest so she remembers she’s not alone.

When she cries, I lick her cheeks.

When she gets quiet, I put my paw on her hand.

I don’t know how to fix what hurts inside her…

but I’m not leaving her side.”

✨ Subscriber Note

If you’ve made it to the end of this, thank you — truly.

This blog, these words, this journey… none of it is easy to share.

Your support helps me keep writing on the days when everything feels too heavy.

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Thank you for staying.

Thank you for caring.

Thank you for letting me be honest.

5 responses to “When the Weight Gets Heavy”

  1. Kiera Little Avatar

    Love you, Iz. Through the good and bad days and everything in between. Thank you for sharing these moments with us ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Marie Bidwell Avatar
    Marie Bidwell

    thank you for your raw real thoughts that are sometimes to much to dare say…you get it, we get you…hugs and prayers on this long journey no one wants to be part if

    Liked by 1 person

    1. izzypwbmma Avatar

      Thank you for reading ❤️

      Like

  3. Rhonda Waldres Avatar

    Hey Tab!

    This is Rhonda , I’ve been following you for a long time. Sorry I haven’t reached out! But I remember years ago with your Mom and you. I feel for you, I wish I could take this away, life is so unpredictable and you never know what’s coming up, as you know I lost Jamie 2 years ago. I understand uncertainty, pain, loss, emotions. I know your scan and tiered, stay strong, you are an amazing person, I’m so proud of your life and everything you have accomplished. You are always in my heart. I think about you often. I wish I had the courage to reach out to you, it just scares me, I’m sorry loss is horrible and it’s hard to come to terms with it but my heart feels for you.
    your amazing with how you are handling your life. I have Littletykesdogrooming.com been grooming for 21 years now and understand the love of dogs. They are a gift! I would love to see you girl and very proud of the person you’ve become.

    Love you girl 🥰😘♥️

    Like

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I’m Izzy

Welcome to mojo and the mess, This isn’t the blog I ever expected to write — but it’s the one I needed.

I’m Izzy, a twenty-something living (and dying) with terminal cancer, navigating the messy, heartbreaking, unexpectedly beautiful in-between. Here, you’ll find raw reflections, real talk, dog snuggles (shoutout to Mojo), and the unfiltered truth about what it’s like to face the end of your life before it really got going.

This space is for the ones who’ve felt forgotten, the ones who don’t know what to say, and the ones who are still holding on. It’s not always pretty, but it’s always honest.

Thanks for being here. You’re part of the mess now — and I mean that in the best way.

Let’s connect