To those who are stuck,

There is nothing glamorous about heartache, suffering with your own mind or feeling inadequate, but there is so much to be learned in any situation you may encounter. While in the moment, it will most likely seem unfathomable as to why you are subjected to this pain, it’s incredibly important to remember that you can overcome the sadness and desolation.

I know that the people who surround you may sometimes forget or overlook that you are hurting, but know that they don’t mean to. Other people’s pain is often difficult to understand because pain is personal. You are surrounded by a support system of human beings (and if you’re lucky you may have some canine or feline support as well).

They may be the strangers you pass in the food court, the coworkers you compare notes with, the friends you used to go to coffee with, your students, or the relatives you share the kitchen table with. They can also be the people you cannot physically be with because of distance or death. If you try and let those people in, into your victories, into your frustrations, into how you’re seeing the world, I bet they would be able to give you insight.

I also bet that if you ask, or even if you don’t, they will likely give you a hug, physically, virtually or spiritually. Human connection does wonders when you feel isolated in misery.

I know you may not want to do this, but learning to be by yourself and to be your true self will bring you endless comfort when you are physically alone. It’s common to not understand your own thoughts, but when you try to understand them? Relief. Revelation. Resolved anxieties.

Try and understand yourself, so you can learn to love and appreciate yourself. If that means taking time to discover who you really want to be, embrace it. Learn about yourself, remember where you have been, dream where you want to end up, plan how to get there.

Come to terms with the strong person you are. The strong person who is fighting against hardship and struggles that many people cannot comprehend. Fight for your happiness. Fight for your individualism. Fight for the rest of your life, because it will be whatever you paint it - grab your brightest shades and create a vivid masterpiece.

Love,

Someone who made it