I know where you are.

I know what you are feeling.

I know how scared and confused you are.

You are in an unfamiliar place, surrounded my unfamiliar people and expected to share your feelings.

I know you are scared of being vulnerable. It is the scariest thing you can think of. For so long you have been so good at keeping all your feelings and sadness and emotions pushed down and all of the sudden you are expected to bring it all up. It is like you are shedding the armor that has protected you from all the scary things in the world.

And now, here you are. You are sitting across from a person you have never met and they are asking you the questions that you can't even give your mom the answer to.

You try to speak, but you can't seem to find the words. You try to speak, but nothing comes out. Instead of words, tears come. Instead of feeling safe, you feel more scared than you ever have before. You don't understand how someone who doesn't know you can help you.

But listen to me.

Getting help is the strongest thing you can do. I know you feel weak because you thought you could handle it on your own, but you are so strong because you realized that you need help and you are there. You made the leap and are strong enough to bring yourself to a scary place because what else do you have to lose? You have already lost your happiness and joy and motivation. If this could potentially bring those things back, then why not try?

And I know you are scared to talk to someone you don't know. But that is the best part about it. All of the things you knew other people were thinking about you every time you stepped out in public are gone. They don't know any of that. All they know is that you are scared and you are broken and all you want it to feel better. All they know is that they have the potential to bring you out of the darkest place you have ever been before.

The armor didn't do its job to protect you. If it had, you would not be here. So, if hiding and shoving everything down doesn't work anymore, then maybe doing the complete opposite will. Maybe coming out in the sun and bringing up all the scary and messy stuff will make you feel better. Maybe taking off the scratched armor and revealing your true, vulnerable self will make you feel better. The armor was there to protect you from the mess, but it also shielded you from the sun. Take it off and feel the sun on your skin. Feel the joy that life has to offer you.

I am not telling you that from now on everything will be great. It won't. Life is still hard. Life is still messy and scary. But now you won't be facing it alone. You won't have the burden to be perfect in an imperfect world. Instead of wearing your armor into battle alone, you will have an entire army around you to protect you.

You have an army of people waiting to help you and take on life with you, you just have to tell them that you need them.