For years, I was the toxic person in my life that everyone needs to cut off every now and then- and so that's what I did.

To the girl I used to be, thank you for showing me everything I didn't want to be. As much as I dislike you, I appreciate you. I appreciate you because you taught me hard lessons. Having you around was equivalent to my rock bottom, and after saying goodbye to you I've been rising back up ever since. I look back and I remember you, but it's never anything good and it's never anything that I miss. You woke me up and made me realize that the person I saw in the mirror wasn't me, and I needed to change. All of your actions gave me the courage to turn it all around- and so that's what I did.

No one really wants to accept the fact that the person you are is the person that is destroying everything you could be, but sometimes you really have to. Sometimes you have to have to take the blame and have the strength to say "that was wrong and I shouldn't to that to this person or talk to that person that way"- and the day you can do that, is the day you're truly on top of the world and feeling that way is like breathing in the freshest air, you'll never want to go back.

It is so important to check yourself sometimes, make sure you're not the toxic person and make sure you're not the person you're desperately trying to get rid of. Everyone has some ugly colors, but everyone is always capable of mixing those ugly colors with something beautiful and making them into a shade that is everything you could imagine. The good thing about being the unhealthy person in your life is always having the power to change it. You have all of that power, point towards something good, achieve your goals, be everything you ever dreamed of and then some. The world is literally at your feet, and it's your job to decide how you pick it up.

So, to the girl I used to be, you're not really a cool person and I'm glad you don't exist anymore. Thank you for allowing me to be the girl I am now. And to the girl I am now, remember the old-you every time you fear the future and dwell on the past. Remember where you've been enough to not want to go back.