I’ve struggled for the longest time with crippling self-doubt and thoughts big and bad enough to completely debilitate me. I know that often people, particularly young people, face these obstacles. Our lives are just beginning. We are hurtled into this brand new world, far from home, with unfamiliar faces and routines and sometimes it feels that only the strong survive.

I spent so long feeling groggy in my new college town and drudged about, finding solace only in sleep. It seemed that any minute task was far too difficult to bear. It took every ounce of energy to even leave my bed. I woke up only to go to class (most of the time) and eat. I know that I’m not alone in this, as I’ve had countless people inform me of their own experiences, though at the time I felt like the smallest person in the world. As the seasons changed, so did my circumstances. Thankfully, as time went on, I began to ponder all of the wonderful people in my life and was reminded of just how important it is to be surrounded by people who make you strong. I want so desperately for my friends to understand just how important they are to me, so here is an open letter to all of the friends who’ve made me strong:

Thank you.

Thank you for being there. Thank you for being present in my life and giving me the attention I crave. Simply making your time available to me gave me a little reminder of my worth. And if I’m worthy of your time, I must be pretty great!

Thank you for staying on the phone with me and talking about nothing. You probably didn’t realize how much I needed that. I look back on my call history and see the evidence of hours of laughs, mindful advice and plans made. Hearing your voice on the other end of that line provided me with astounding comfort and feelings of fellowship.

Thank you for the infinite cups of coffee we share. Whether we sit down and pour our hearts over a cup of joe or just enjoy each other's company in a coffee shop, it's so meaningful to me that you give me a bit of your time.

Thank you for encouraging me to try new things. You never fail to take me out of my comfort zone and convince me to let loose of my inhibitions. You give me the confidence to walk steadily through the world, unafraid of the unknown.

Thank you for introducing me to new people. Although I continue to value our friendship, you seem to continuously give me the gift of fast, new friends. These friends give me a sense of community, something that is so important to someone who constantly feels so alone.

Thank you for laughing with me. Thank you for laughing at me. Thank you for reminding me not to take myself too seriously. Thank you for keeping our conversations light and humorous when you know I need it and saving the serious stuff for when we can both handle it.

Thank you for giving me legs to stand on. Thank you for giving me strength with your love and support. Your friendship gives me the motivation to move through life fearlessly. I am in a far better place now than I was even six months ago. You are not my sole savior, but you definitely helped me get to where I am.

There are so many of you who make me feel strong and I can’t even begin to list you all.

As we go through life, we meet people who change us for the better. You are changing me little by little. You make me feel stable and when I’m with you I am convinced I am invincible. I really can’t thank you enough. I don’t know if I should give you a gift basket or a Hallmark card, but I know I few words on a page will never be enough. You make me stronger every day.

Thank you endlessly,

The girl you made strong