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Things I’d tell my younger self, and YOU (part 1/?):

When you have to take the leap and are terrified—when you’re uncertain, facing the total unknown, and have no idea how things will turn out, remember this:

There are so many good people in the world who will put out their arms and catch you. Whether you feel like you deserve it or not. Friends. Family. Complete strangers. You WILL find them, and you’ll find that they’ll also find YOU.

A lot more people understand you than you think.

Be honest, and tell your truth, and accept when people decide to reach out and catch you. You’re going to keep finding your way. Even if terrible things happen, a lot of other good people will not leave you alone along the journey.

The hardest part is the reaching out. But someone will catch you. I promise. And another someone. And another. There’s a long line of people stretching back over the years who all have been caught, and who catch someone else down the line. Everyone good likes to pay it forward. You’ll get to do it in turn.

Don’t be afraid of the pain of good change. Don’t hold yourself away from healing or hope because of fear. There is peace and growth on the other side that you CAN make it to, and you’ll find that everything was worth it when you get there.

Trust the part of you that never stopped saying “No, there has to be a better way than this.” That part of you is right. And no amount of agony in your seeking will make the victory of your finding any less whole.

A day is going to come when you realize you survived the unmaking of yourself and put yourself back together afterwards. You’ll realize you can say #igotout and mean it. You’ll realize healing is a concrete reality and a daily practice, and you’ll realize you know what joy is again, and you’ll realize that you now get to experience peace. Life is much bigger on the outside. You’re going to love what it means to be free.