As I write this article, it is still Thursday, January 19th, 2017. Tomorrow, things will feel very different. And exactly the same.
Every person I know, whether or not their personal lives have been positive lately, has agreed that 2016 was an awful year for the world. But a change in an arbitrary, contrived date does not hit a magical "reset" button that puts everything back the way you wanted it.
If you've lived this long, your right to exist has been challenged at some point. That doesn't go away just because it's 2017. It doesn't matter what side of the political spectrum you're on. Which is why I did not decide to write this article about politics.
Instead, I wanted to offer some words of affirmation for all those who had a shit 2016 and still feel 2017 doesn't have much to offer them. There are many challenges ahead in securing that you have just as many rights to survive as anyone else does.
But you can do it. Do you know how I know this? You've survived every day of your life so far.
So here's to you.
You lived through loss. So much at times, you wonder how anyone can move on from it. Life is about losing and gaining. But the losing always contrasts so harshly. You've lost opportunities, friendships, relatives, pets. You may have even lost your way at times.
Your pain is valid.
You've lived through physical pain. Migraines and torn ACLs. Menstrual cramps and celiac disease. You've survived the emotional pain of loss and having society tell you you are an "other." You've lived through and with anxiety, eating disorders, and PTSD.
You are not your injuries.
You are not your diseases.
You are made up of all your experiences, but you are so much more than that. You have inalienable rights as a human. You've lived through all the days that have challenged that notion, and you are still here.
You are not a victim of your life.
Understanding your journey and validating yourself should not lead you to victimizing yourself and blaming others. It's hard to empathize with those who oppose your right to survive, but everyone wants their struggles to feel valid. We don't need to compete for who has it worse. We need to listen. And speak out.
And most importantly, you are loved.
You are loved.
You are loved.
If nothing else, you are loved by you. You at least owe yourself that. Hey, it's hard not to love someone who's made it this far.
The title of this article was taken from a YouTube comment by user DaedricSheep (yes, I know "YouTube comment section" sounds immediately discountable, but hear me out). This person has some invaluable wisdom to pass along. It's gotten me through some dark times, and I hope it can offer you some solace as well:
"You've survived every day of your life so far. There's going to be worse days, and there's going to be better days. But I promise you there will always be better days. And you deserve to see them."
