You Are Not Your Struggles

Everyone has a story. It is unlikely that you will hear someone say that their life is perfect and going exactly as they imagined it would. Existing or pre-existing circumstances can shape the way you view your life. Living with a mental illness such as anxiety or depression can feel like you are living in a world surrounded by billions of people, yet utterly alone. 

When you are feeling alone, broken, or afraid, remember that you are not your struggles. The very best of you, the beauty within you, is the way you smile when someone makes you laugh; the way your eyes light up when you are passionate about something. Inside you is a flame that burns extraordinarily bright endlessly. Only you have the power to learn to love yourself unconditionally. 

Start today by reminding yourself that you are enough for you. You are worthy of a love so deep and so beautiful that everything else around you feels surreal. Remind yourself that you are only human. Let the mask you hide behind drop to the floor; learn to be content with where you are at, even if it is not where you intend to go. 

Life will pass you by if you let it. Remember the sounds, scents, and feelings of the things that bring you bliss. You are much more than the weight you carry and the struggles you face. The mountain ahead of you might be steep, but you have the strength.

Article submitted by Lindsey Thoman.