A letter to my 19 year old self

Pain.

Worthless.

Darkness.

Isolation.

Descriptors of the image you see when you look in the mirror, if you even care enough to look. You hide beneath a blanket of despair hoping someone will notice, hoping that someone will have the strength to look.

Unrecognizable.

Why is the tapestry of your life painted with only dark colors?

Dry your eyes. Gather the courage to look in the mirror. Brighter colors are soon to be added to your palette of life. Those dark colors are merely the foundation for your work of art.

With each brush stroke, you grow stronger, more resilient. Dark colors will streak your masterpiece, but you learn to cover them with brighter colors. Your work will be textured, and difficult to create, but you will build the strength to create your own artwork.

Strength.

Gratitude.

Compassion.

Independence.

Descriptors of the image you will come to know every time you look.