To the person who lost themselves,

It's funny. When you were little you had the most fearless outlook on life. You weren't afraid of anything. Someone called you a name and you didn't care because the little girl you were was content with the person they were. You weren't afraid of getting hurt and you weren't afraid of the countless adventures you could encounter.

Somewhere along the way, a fear of who you were started to creep into your life. It could've been because one person took it too far or because everyone around you seemed to judge everything that you are. You began to change because you thought that maybe being like the rest of them would stop the constant mockery.

As you grew, people who taunted you began to part ways. But that didn't end the agony. By this time you were too far into it all, that their voices became your own. You hated yourself for the way you looked, the way you acted, and who you were attracted to. You were defined by the negativity that was told to you.

Eventually, you have lost yourself. You saw no shot of your own happiness so you decided to bring the happiness out in others. No matter who the person was, you always reminded them that this world would somehow to change if they were no longer in it. Your cries for help grew silent. Your pain turned into this unbearable self-hate. You gave up on yourself because everyone around you did too.

However, your worth is radiant. Just because people told you who to be before you could figure out who you were, does not make you worthless. That self-hate can turn into self-worth. Your frown, your tears, your pain; that can all turn into a beautiful lesson. Whether you are 12, 25, or 60, you are still able to become everything that you have ever hoped to be. The fear that is eating you alive may seem unbearable but even when you feel like you hit rock bottom, the only other way to go is up. You are free to be whatever it is that you are.

Sincerely yours,

The girl who has been where you are