Please don’t give up.
I know you’re tired of trying. Tired of caring. Just tired.
I hear you, and I won’t pretend you’re wrong for feeling like this. But I also won’t let you give up.
Please keep fighting. I won’t give you some generic reason why. You’ve probably heard them all. I won’t make you think you are the problem for feeling like you can’t take this place anymore. For wishing things were easier and feeling like your emotions are out of your control.
I won’t tell you to “just be positive” or question why you’re struggling to keep it together.
All I ask is that you keep fighting.
Not that you bury your problems and try to function as they metastasize in your subconscious. Not that you continue to people-please or practice self-hatred as if it is a religion. Not even that you achieve some grandiose goal requiring hard work and discipline to get that sweet dopamine we all crave.
I just want you to exist, here, with the rest of us. That’s it. Regardless of what you accomplish or don’t; this world is a better place with you in it. I know it sucks to hear and you don’t want to believe it. Like it or not, it’s the truth. There is a place on this earth for you.
I know it’s not easy to function day to day. I know it can feel like we are doing all this for nothing, but I would prefer if you stayed and continued with whatever this thing is we call life. The fact is, we need you here. You bring something to this world that nobody will ever replicate. Please do not deprive us of it.
It might not make a difference for some stranger to tell you that you have value and deserve to be here. But you do have value, and you do deserve to be here. All I ask is that you stay, and if possible, try to become aware of the unique value you bring to this place.
I know it’s a grind. I know the highs can be magnificent and the lows crushingly devastating. You might question if it is worth continuing to ride this rollercoaster; I can promise it is. You might not see it now, but life can change drastically for the better in ways that are not initially clear.
Even if you don’t believe me, please keep fighting.
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If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts or in need of other mental health services, please don’t hesitate to call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 or text “Hello” to 741741 to reach the Crisis Text Line.
By Wes Annac, Openhearted Rebellion, 2022
Featured image by Engin Akyurt from Pixabay
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