My semicolon tattoo is smaller than my thumbnail, but it means the world to me. The idea of the tattoo has been sitting in the back of my brain for years. Ever since I came across Project Semicolon , I always thought it was something that suited me. I could relate to the concept of a semicolon tattoo in more ways than one.

Project Semicolon is a movement dedicated to presenting hope and love for those who are struggling with mental illness, suicide, addiction, and self-injury.

That alone, hits my heart deeply.

I began to research Project Semicolon and came across other people's hardships.

I learned that there was a community of people that were connected by these experiences and by these tattoos, and that, in a way, I was connected with them as well.

I first began to struggle with my mental health when I was a junior in high school. My brain and I have been in a constant war ever since. It is such a confusing type of pain, to have such a power struggle with something that is supposed to benefit you and work for you.

Since I began college three years ago, the quality of my mental health has been a roller coaster. I have hit highs I could not have imagined, and lows I never thought I would dip to. It has been a long road, and at times I have thought about giving up.

Project Semicolon showed me that a semicolon is the perfect symbol to represent my life.

Once I finally mustered up the courage to get my first tattoo, I knew exactly what I wanted to get. I spent the whole day incredibly nervous, and pushed the event until the end of the day.

The anticipation was so much more agonizing than the actual process. Within a couple minutes at the tattoo shop, I finally had the tattoo that I've always wanted.

And, I couldn't be more in love with it.

My semicolon tattoo represents me perfectly without me even having to speak. Every time I look down at it I am reminded of the struggles that I have overcome. Even when I am going through a crisis and I believe that there's no way out, I can look down and know that my story is not over yet.