“I Good” — The Psychology of Carrying Everything and Telling Nobody

Sep 20, 2026 Features / Columnists, News

(Kaieteur News) – Ask some people how they are doing and the answer arrives almost automatically:“I good.”Two words.The bills are behind. The relationship is struggling. Somebody in the family is sick. Work is exhausting. Sleep has become difficult. They have not felt like themselves for months.But still:“I good.”

For many people, adulthood gradually becomes the art of carrying things without allowing anybody to see how heavy they are. You go to work. You take care of the children. You send the money. You answer the phone. You solve everybody else’s problems. You show up at the funeral, wedding, birthday, church service, family gathering, or work meeting.And somewhere along the way, people become so accustomed to you being strong that they stop asking whether strength is costing you something.