Any time gloom and doubt start to set in I look back at my journey with chronic and mental illness thus far and see all the obstacles I have overcome and left behind me. So many of these things seemed unbeatable at the time, and yet there they are in the past. It seems so strange to think about the weight each obstacle carries as we struggle with it, day in and day out, trying to overcome the monster that is seemingly holding us hostage. Then you look back and it is behind you, because you were strong enough to overcome it. Maybe that is the problem with our struggles? That we allow them to take up so much space in our hearts and in our minds that we build them up to be bigger mountains then they have to be.
I understand what it is like to feel like something is not possible to live with or overcome. I have struggled with illnesses, both physical and mental, for the entirety of my adolescence and young adulthood that made life feel impossible. I am writing this so people reading it will know a few things about themselves, and about the power they hold inside.
1. Gratitude is a great aid to perseverance.
Sometimes this is a hard one to apply, because when you are in the midst of a struggle what is there to appreciate? The answers may be harder to find, but they are still there. Gratitude is about finding the silver lining in the middle of a treacherous storm. Though the road may not be an easy one to walk you will find things along the way that will show you why you are on this journey. These things should make you grateful. Perhaps, you will find personal growth, a newfound appreciation for simple joys, or even a love for something that you never knew existed before. Whatever you find--cherish it. The appreciation you will have for these things will help pull you through even your darkest times, because you will eventually find yourself always searching for something to be thankful for.
2. Believing in yourself is the first step to progress.
This one is so incredibly important. If you do not believe in yourself then by default you are setting yourself up for failure. You must find things within yourself that you love if you want to move forward. If you do not learn to show yourself care and appreciation then things will get worse not better. Self-love is crucial to growth. The more you love yourself the more you will find reasons to fight harder. I believe in you, and the people around you believe in you. Now it is time that you start believing in you. You deserve that. You deserve to know that you can do this.
3. You are stronger than you could ever possibly imagine.
You are strong enough to fight even the toughest battles, and climb even the tallest mountains. Do you know why? Because you have more strength and determination than you can measure. Your heart is beating with purpose, your mind is racing with ideas, your soul is driven by a desire to survive. These things are your tools. Use them, and learn from them. Do not discredit yourself when you have a bad day. Write it off as just that--a bad day. Carry on with the strength that you possess, and know that anything you face you can handle. Will it be easy? Not likely. However, you are a strong and worthy opponent. Face it head on. You can do this.
From now on when you face something, whether it be a daily battle, or a new one altogether, know that you can overcome it. Know that giving up is not an option because you have too much good to bring to the world. You are full of purpose and worth. No amount of disease, illness, or disability can take that away from you. You are beautiful, strong, and driven. Keep fighting. You will overcome.
Love & Light,
Lexi F.
