Dear my teenage self,

You are struggling very much right now, and you are in so much pain. This is not because you are weak. This is because you have been given way too much to carry. It won’t magically get better right away. You are going to go through some very dark times and it will feel endless. but slowly, over years, you will become stronger and more self‑confident and more self‑assured. You will not be ashamed of who you are anymore. You will look back on this pain and shame and despair and know that you are loved and cherished and worth so much. You are unique and special, and you can survive this.

You are going to have a life. You will have pets who absolutely adore you and a home that is safe. There will be people who care about you and stay. You will even have a second mom figure in your life who walks with you through the darkness instead of leaving you in it. So hold on to that hope, and hold on to that message of love and security that you are going to carry with you throughout the years.

Love,

Your future self