If you're battling a mental illness please know you're not alone. I know the world can be cruel, judgmental, and not understanding. But please understand you truly aren't alone. I've been open with my mental illness struggles and I've been judged. A lot of people don't understand that anxiety isn't just a worry, that depression isn't you just being sad, or an eating disorder isn't you looking for attention. It's none of that. Mental Illness is a true struggle that people deal with daily.

And I want you to know you aren't alone. You are a warrior. We battle our own minds daily. It doesn't get much harder than that. Think of your small steps as big successes. Every small step is a step closer to helping you heal. You can't beat a mental illness, it isn't something that goes away. It is something that you can keep under control but you have to deal with it daily. Please don't be ashamed of having to take medicine or go to therapy. You are taking care of you and if that helps you, do it.

Please if you're reading this and have a mental illness, know that someone understands your struggle. And I am right there with you battling; if not the same then similar battles, the battle of not being skinny enough, good enough, smart enough, etc. Whether you're suffering silently or with people knowing, know that I feel the same way. And you can do it. Any small step is a big win, and if you can handle that small step towards getting better, you can handle anything.