Dear Lonely,

I recognize you all too well. The eyes, puffy from tears. The chest, feeling swollen from a night of frantic breathing. The heart, desperate for a reason to pulse again. I see you.

I know the days seem pointless now. You're shaken and scared. This doesn't feel normal...this doesn't feel right. Every chance you get, you're asking: what is the purpose of a life without them in it?

I'm telling you now -- YOU are that purpose. YOU, and YOU alone. You did not enter this world so that another person could be your light. Dear lonely, you are RADIANT. You outshine the stars, and you certainly glow more than that person who broke your heart.

I know that it feels the worst at night. Believe me, I know. To reach over and not have them there. To have nothing distracting you from your racing thoughts that eat away at you. Here's what I say: bite back.

You are not a half searching for your other half. You are WHOLE. You are already complete, so do NOT give any other human being the power to determine your worth. The power is in your hands alone. And kid, you are so worthy.

I am not dismissing your pain. Cry when you need to...seriously, bawl your eyes out. It's always benefited me. Heartbreak sucks. Miss them when you need to, play music that upsets you, eat ice cream and take many bubble baths. Nurse yourself back to normal because mental health matters, and we all want to see you smile again. And take your time...events like this don't have a timeline.

But know that it gets easier. Take note of the hours you didn't spend thinking of them. Realize that you got through that song without shedding a tear for them. Catch on to what made you laugh that day. Just KEEP pressing forward, that's all I ask of you. Don't run back to something harmful because the pain steered you in that direction. Carry on -- you WILL survive this. You are carving out the space for something even greater to fill up your life.

But please, I beg of you, don't fill up this new emptiness with another person. People are imperfect, and they are not a stable source to plant your roots in. Fill this hole up with nothing but YOURSELF. Get out and travel, find new hobbies, eat great food. Volunteer for a cause you believe in, buy that dress you've wanted, bake cookies with your family. Surround yourself with nothing but the people who love YOU, the activities that YOU love, and learning to love YOURSELF. This is your time to be selfish. Own it.

So dear lonely, I hope you aren't so lonely anymore. Because there's so much love in this world that is far greater than anything that one person gave you...now get out there and feel it. Life won't seem so lonely once you embark on the greatest love story of all time -- the one with yourself. So let it begin kiddo, just let it begin.