You did it.

To probably the majority of people, simply surviving is a relatively easy task. They just kind of do what they have to do — go to work, go to school, get the grades, get the degree, become an adult, grow old, die. It's not a hassle, at least not that much of one. Some people even like it. They love to live.

But it's not like that for all people. It's too ignorant for anyone to think it is. Sometimes just waking up is something to dread, getting out of bed is impossible, and thinking happy thoughts is nonexistent. Sometimes all you want is to just not wake up, and not in that joking way that everyone always chimes into a lighthearted complaint.

Living is hard. But you did it. You survived another year.

It's January, and the weight of 2017 has finally been dusted off of your shoulder, and you're looking ahead to 2018. It may make you hopeful, it may make you dread. But you have accomplished such a huge feat: surviving. You fought all of those horrible thoughts that crept across your mind every night, you fought the urge to fall back into triggering bad habits, you fought to live to see another day.

You're a warrior.

Your struggle has not gone unnoticed, and your bravery and strength have not gone without acknowledgment.

To everyone who had suicidal thoughts in 2017, or even so far in 2018, I'm really happy you're still here, I love you, and we're in this together. And if it ever feels too much, don't hesitate to reach out to someone or call these numbers:

Depression Hotline: 1-630-482-9696

Suicide Hotline: 1-800-784-8433

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

You can do this. You can survive another year.