A Message I Wish I Could’ve Given Myself Five Years Ago

Five years ago, I was alone. I was truly alone. I couldn’t find anything in my life that was worth holding on to, and it was apparent to me that the spiral that I had tried to keep myself from going down was right in front of me.

They called it teenage blues, and when you put a label on something like mental illness, you start to believe it. For a long time, I didn’t believe in my bipolar. I didn’t believe in my anxiety. I didn’t believe in the illnesses that had impacted my brain, just as any other illness impacts any other parts of the body. I thought that all I was facing was just normal teenage sadness.

5 years ago, I would’ve given anything in the world to hear something that would’ve kept me grounded during such a time of uprooting.

1. The pain you’re feeling right now is one thing that will pass with time. I promise you, you don’t have to worry about feeling this forever.

2. There are people all around you. I know you may not see it now, but all you have to do is reach out. They’re there.

3. You can always be your own best friend. That, you will always be capable of.

4. Even on your worst days, you are always worth love and respect. Don’t ever settle for anything less.

5. You have the chance every day to heal to the best of your ability. It can be messy, it doesn’t have to be perfect, but it’s your healing, and it can be all yours.

6. You get a little better every day. It may not feel like it, but you mature, you grow, you change every single day.

7. You are a warrior. You are full of power. You are incredible.

8. Don’t worry about things that won’t matter five years from now. You won’t even remember most of what you’re going through right now.

9. You are worth more than life to someone. Someone thanks God every day that you are here.

Your fight is worth it.

You are worth it.

Don’t give up on yourself.