Hey you, you superb, brilliant, wonderful person whose existence matters just as much as the next person’s. I know it may be hard to believe, but hey, you’re important! Your feelings, your existence, your happiness — the whole nine yards. I understand that you just want everyone else to be happy and to avoid conflict, but you have to remember that you are just as important as everyone around you, even more so! You simply cannot be perfect, and it is just impossible to get along with everyone. Don’t try too hard to give everyone what they want. Stop letting people walk all over you. You deserve kind words, dependable friendships, and dammit, for once, accept invitations and affection/appreciation when people offer it to you. It will make life so much more vibrant.

It can be hard sometimes (or maybe even all the time) to figure out what we really want, or even who we really are. It is a constant struggle between, “Is that really want I wanted to say? Is this what I really want?” or, “Is this what I convinced myself that I want?” Are the feelings you’re feeling really yours, or are they molded to mesh well with someone else’s feelings? It becomes an issue when you continuously do what other people want, rather than what you’d be more comfortable with. (Compromises also exist, don’t forget that.) Or when you forget what you want because you’re too immersed in making others happy. Or whenever a relationship hits a bump, you continuously blame yourself… and sometimes, they begin to use your empathy to their own advantage. Sound familiar?

You cannot settle for that. You deserve much more than consistently giving and giving. Let your friends give back. Of course, it feels great to be the one to cheer people up, to always be there regardless of the circumstance, and to always try your best to understand. However, you will eventually break down if you don’t allow the same consideration towards yourself. If someone has hurt you multiple times, you have the right as a human being to let them go. You have the right to no longer speak with them. At some point you have to stop and consider if your friendships — or relationships — are one-sided. Are you being treated the way you deserve? Is it an artificial friendship that exists in order to keep the other person happy?

I want to remind you that you have to remain true to yourself. If you’re not sure who your true self is, it’s time you try to find it. Trust me, it will take years and years of searching. It will take trials and errors, failed relationships, and mistakes, along with your successes here and there. Once you are aware of who you are and what you are looking for in your life, it will be easier to stand tall — to stand strong. It’s no use constantly going with the flow of what is expected of you. Open up. Develop your existence. Be you — completely and entirely you. There are undoubtedly people in this world searching for someone like you. People who will appreciate everything that you are, without wanting more. All you have to do is open up your mind, just as much as you are willing to open up your heart to others.