Dear someone:

You might or might not know me, but I write this to you for when you're having a bad day. For those days when you feel tired of it all, when you want to hide from the world, when you're afraid to speak or go out, for when you're feeling low. I know that you cried yourself to sleep last night and no one was there to comfort you. I know you feel lonely and wonder what's so bad about you that no one wants to stick around. I know you're tired of waiting for the good because all that seems to come your way is bad.

I know you think you are a burden, that your annoying, worthless, inadequate and unlovable. I know you're terrified of the future, of the unknown or of those things you know but struggle to accept. I know you're torn between what makes you happy and what you feel you need to do. I know you're tired of taking care of everyone and want someone to take care of you. I know your past keeps you up at night and you blame yourself for it all. I know you're getting ready to give up.

I know your scared, overwhelmed and exhausted - you're ready to give up. Days, weeks, months, and years like these suck - trust me, I know, but everything will pass. I know it's hard to get out of bed, but do it anyway. Feel the sun on your skin, smile at a stranger, look at that cute puppy down the street and allow their light to consume your darkness.

Cry as much as you need to, get it all out, then put on a smile and work through it. If there's a solution, it will come and if it's hopeless, let go - you know you deserve better. Darling, you are not a burden, you are not worthless, you are not alone - don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Know that whether our lives have already overlapped or if they're only overlapping through this, I am here for you. Don't apologize for who you are, you are amazing, strong, gifted and worth so much more than you give yourself credit for.

You are not awful. People are going to leave, they're going to change, they'll leave you behind and it's going to suck - but it's not your fault. I know it's hard to understand it, but sooner or later someone else will come, and until then, you have me and you have this wonderful world that lives inside you and awaits for you to explore it.

I know that anxiety creeps up on you and reminds you of your past - don't let it get to you. We've all made mistakes, we all have regrets, and we all have situations which we cannot explain. Whatever happened 10 years ago, 5 years ago, heck what happened yesterday - it doesn't matter - don't let it poison you. Yes, you stumbled, but you also persevered, you were also kind and good, and you should be proud of yourself. When the negativity of the past comes to haunt you, slam a door of positivity on it.

I know you feel overwhelmed with all that you should do. You feel like you should study something practical, like you need a job you hate just to make ends meet, like you need to stick around certain toxic people just so you're not alone, like you need to sacrifice your own happinnes for society's sake. Don't bite into that! Do what makes you happy. Study what you love - yes, have a back up plan just in case, but don't let the back up plan keep you from your dreams. Find another job, find other friends, find your happinnes even if it lies far away from everyone else's.

Stop doing everything for everyone else. It's okay to say "no" sometimes, to get away and do something for yourself. It's okay to need time alone, to have a day where you do what makes you happy. Don't allow other's needs to steer you away from your own well-being. In the process of taking care of others, don't forget to take care of yourself and, once in a while, let others take care of you.

You are so amazing, so unbelievable, so strong and worthy and loved. I know you're having a bad day, I know the bad times seem like they'll never stop, but trust me - even the worst days will end and you'll get to start anew.

I leave you with the wise words of Professor Dumbledore: "Happinnes can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." There is a whole point to this bad day, to these negative feelings, this saddness, this struggle - this overwhelming emptiness. So when the world gets dark, look for that ray of sun, for that flickering candle, for that switch and turn it on - only by remembering to "turn on the light" will the darkness flee from the beauty, the strength, and the light that radiates off of you.

With love & good vibes,

Your friend.