You know how they always say, ” Be kind. You never know what someone else is going through?” Well, when that someone happens to be you, read this. This one’s for you.

Dear Someone,

I know things are tough right now, and I know everything hurts. Every morning is a struggle to get out of bed and attempt to be the person you’re supposed to be. I know what you’re thinking: this isn’t what you signed up for. Suffice it to say, that life never turns out to be what we signed up for.

Be it work, school, friendships, relationships, or life in general, there will be times when things never go the way you intended. As the old adage goes: You make plans and God [the Universe] laughs.

But it sucks, when things don’t go the way you planned, doesn’t it? You create hope, expectations, motivation to take an aspect of your life to the next level and seem to fall just short of getting there. You take the time to search for the solution to your problem, or the next milestone you need to achieve, or love, or peace, and you end up finding yourself more broken than when you started your journey.

You aren’t alone. I know right now it feels like you are. I know you’re probably laying in bed and staring at the ceiling, or at your desk spacing out instead of working on reports, or staring out the window of your car pretending you’re in a music video and questioning yourself why? Are you enough? Are you too much?

Why? I don’t know. That question is for God [the Universe] to reveal the answer in due time. Are you enough? Always. Are you too much? Yeah, sometimes. But you know what? There’s nothing wrong with that.

Never apologize for being who you are, because I can assure you that they will never apologize for who they are. The sooner you learn to accept your most authentic self, you begin living the life you’ve always wanted to live. You are no longer in danger of falling prey to the folly of others because you are self assured. Set your boundaries and demand that they are respected. It is the most surefire way to expose people and situations in your life that do not serve you. Take your lessons from that and move on.

Promise me you’ll learn from all of this, though. Whether you got passed on for a promotion, you didn’t get into the school of your dreams, if you’re convinced love sucks, or your friendship with someone ended in a falling out. Learn. From. This. Take the time to look back and reflect on every decision that has brought you here and learn. Then make peace with it.

If this applies to you: forgive. It isn’t easy, believe me. The most important thing to remember about forgiveness is that it isn’t for always for them, but it is always always always for you.

So do what you need to do right now to get through this in the healthiest way you can. It’s okay to take time for yourself. Sometimes that means time off from work, or even time off from friends, and that’s okay. It could also mean channeling your energy into work, or more time with your friends, that’s okay too. Your priority should always be what you want, so take control and invest in loving yourself a little harder today, and tomorrow too for good measure.

While I’m at it, a reminder: this isn’t the end of the world. I know it probably feels like it though, huh? I know what it’s like, to be lying in bed at night when you can’t turn your brain off just yet. Then it hits you, the gaping hole where your heart should be just opens. You find yourself gasping for breath and trying to ground yourself with all of the good things you have in your life: You are alive. You are loved. There is hope. Tomorrow will be kinder.

Lastly, I want to say that you are amazing. You are beautiful. You are strong. You are brave. You are phenomenal. You have what it takes. You are crazy in the best way possible. You are you and no one can take that away from you. And for any of you that need to hear this especially: I’m glad you’re still here.

Be kind to yourself. You may not know what others are going through, but know what you’ve gone through, so practicing love and compassion towards yourself is a rewarding experience.

I hope this helps.

With love, hope, & good vibes,

Amanda