Dear Anxiety,

You are, more often than not, unwanted and disliked. You exist as a reminder that humans have faults, that humans are unable to remain unaffected by the many things we encounter throughout our lives. You make me afraid to feel, to act, to be. Whenever I finally get comfortable with a situation, you come upon me like a monster that's been lurking under my bed for years. You're a monster that pops up whenever I start to feel happy or just OK, as if you're waiting to remind me that happiness is transient because life is just bound to throw you curveballs.

You may attack me and make me feel weak and sad, but you can't defeat me. I can feel you creeping up, I know who you are, and I will win. You're cold, unwavering grip on my throat may withhold the air from reaching my lungs, but it isn't impossible to pry you off. You make me feel like the world is going dark and that I have nothing and no one, but I know you're just trying to break me down. The tears that you cause are what bring me back from the brink, they remind me that the panic I feel will eventually subside as my eyes dry.

My happiness is NOT transient. You are. They're may be peaks and falls along the way, but when you drag me down, I will always fight to climb back up, to find my happiness again. You, however, will ultimately disappear because the happier I feel, the less likely I am to let you get to me. One day, you will be gone and all I'll have is the memory of the pain you brought me. But all I have to say is thank you. Thank you for reminding me that I may be flawed, but I am still amazing. Thank you for teaching me the value of happiness and the importance of fighting for what I, and everyone of your victims, deserves.

Sincerely,

Kassy