During high school, I was never a big reader or writer. It wasn't until a few years ago, when I was going through a tough relationship, I found the beauty in writing. I discovered something that would soothe my soul. It made me feel like I was at home, especially when I was going through hard times. It helped me find myself, and finally release the emotions I had held onto. It was like, I was pouring all of my negative thoughts onto the paper, and I was becoming a new person.

The first time I picked up an ink pen and started writing, I was sitting out on my porch. At the time, I was living four hours away from my girlfriend and had just found out she had cheated on me. I was heartbroken and couldn't believe this was happening to me. I was overthinking every part of our relationship, and I was starting to lose my mind. We were not only doing long distance, but now I had to decide what to do about the cheating; the trust was completely broken. I was out of mind and completely stressed out. One night, I just grabbed an old beat up notebook that was crammed in the trunk of my car and started writing everything that was running through my mind. I figured, "Hey, people say this can be good therapy. Why not?"

Writing those words made me feel like a weight was lifted off of me. Yes, there may be a few pages with smeared ink from the lonely nights. That's OK though, writing can be a very intimate and private thing. It wasn't until later I decided others may be able to benefit from my stories. During those times, writing and releasing was all I needed to made me feel like I was in control of my life. Maybe my stories can help you feel like you're not alone. At times I literally wanted to cry happy tears reading some articles because they touched home for me in so many ways. It's like the writer was looking into my soul and writing what I needed to say, but what I couldn't.

My writings turned into having my own blog and now I am an official contributor to this amazing site. The joys I get in seeing a blank piece of notebook paper and seeing it as a blank canvas to tell more of my stories is a feeling I hope to stay with me years down the road. Nobody will ever understand how much reading those articles and writing saved my life. I would have been on the bathroom floor balling my eyes out feeling like the world would be crashing down on me and falling into this dark hole and it was the ink pen that pulled me out of it and saved me. Throughout all of my writings I hope to save even one person by them not feeling alone, but even if I save just one and that person is me, then I can die happy.

So I want to challenge you, whoever is reading this, to dig deep within yourself and find that other world of yours that you find comfort in. Whether it be working out or painting a whole studio full of artwork, whatever you find happiness in and makes life a little easier then do it. Find a healthy outlet to express your feelings through. You can get through anything life throws at you. When you feel like nobody is there for you, know that I am on your side and I believe in you. Now run off and find inspiration to make this life amazing or if anything be your own inspiration in life.