If you’re reading this, I want you to know a few things. Life is really hard sometimes and it is totally okay to not be okay. It’s okay to take a step back from whatever is stressing you and take a moment for yourself. Whatever you are feeling is real, it is valid, and although it might feel like it, you are never alone.

It’s okay to not have control over every aspect of your life, no matter how terrifying that might be. In fact, you trying to control everything might be one of the reasons you’re feeling overwhelmed. Things happen and not happen for a myriad of reasons, and it’s okay to go with the flow sometimes. It can lead you to many unexpected pathways honestly.

You are so much stronger than you give yourself credit for. Think of everything that has happened to you in your life that has led you to where you are today. You’ve probably been through some shit. You’ve probably had moments in your life where everything felt like it was ending. But guess what? It didn’t. You pulled yourself through those situations, and it’s made you better, I promise. Whatever you are feeling or going through right now, I vehemently believe you can make it through. This moment, this feeling, it’s fleeting and it’s temporary. You have the strength and the courage to ride this storm, I know it.

You matter. What you feel matters. I know it’s hard to open up to people for fear of rejection or invalidation. Sometimes people give those responses unintentionally when they’re trying to help you. Please, please, please understand that it’s not due to a lack of love for you, or that they don’t care. It’s not that, I promise. Most people are generally and genuinely not well-equipped to process and manage other people’s emotions. People are doing the best they can with the tools they have, and that’s true for everyone, even you.

It’s okay to not be able to do this on your own. Get help if you need it. You’re worth the effort to improve your life and your mental state. It won’t be easy, in fact it’s going to be incredibly difficult and incredibly painful. It’s worth it. Anything worth a shit you have to work for. And guess what? You are most definitely worth a shit.

It’s okay to not be okay sometimes. Whatever you’re going through is rough, I know, but I know you can make it. Like Kathryn Stockett wrote in The Help: You is kind. You is smart. You is important. And most of all, you are never alone.