This is something I have pondered for a while now and would love to hear other people's thoughts.
For years I put my husband and child first, I was the one having to be strong, holding it all together until it became too much and I totally fell apart.

Because of my bipolar when people ask how I am. I tell them. I mean, I have stuff I need to share and not keep bottled up until I fall apart. so if someone asks me, I open up and feel relief getting it off my chest.

Recently I have found myself trying to just say " I'm fine thanks " when people ask how I am because it seems that's the secret socially acceptable response instead of actually saying ... well to be honest I'm not too great ....

I'm not a nosey person by nature so I don't ask the ins and outs of people's lives and I have found this results in people thinking I'm only interested in taking about myself

Or when visiting friends I sit and listen to all their news etc and keep my mouth shut about what I'm going through.I do like listening and offering advice. I love helping people and making them feel better.

So I'm curious as it seems to have evaded me. When is it actually ok for me to talk about my worries and woes before it all becomes too much ?