When some of my friends were talking about their Halloween plans and asked me what I was going to be, I knew the answer right away even though I had given it no previous thought. I told them I was going to be Twenty One Pilots' Blurryface. My choice brought about a small chorus of puzzled "Why's" so I laughed and said, "I think Blurryface is a very underappreciated, complex character. I want to be Blurryface for Halloween to raise awareness for mental disorders. I think I'm going to write an article about him."

So I did. I customized my black Converse with my favorite Twenty One Pilots lyric, bought a TØP t-shirt, dug out my dark grey sweatshirt that would cover part of my neck (to represent the black face paint that Tyler wears when he dresses as Blurryface,) and put on my favorite pair of dark skinny jeans. I copied Josh Dun's eye makeup and added black, winged eyeliner. I put on a fake nose ring and wore a black beanie. It was arguably my edgiest costume, and came out way better than I thought it would.

Here's why I think Blurryface is so important: "Blurryface", to me, is not a single character or person. He is a metaphor for the universal voice that most of us have experienced at one point or another in our life, because he is the scariest part of our own mind. In fact, he manipulates it. Blurryface is present during the darkest times of your life. He reigns over your mental and emotional instability when you're at your lowest. He's the quiet that you try to fill, yet the loudest voice that you try to block out. Blurryface is the nagging that overwhelms your mind, and the gnawing presence you feel. He is your insecurities, your doubt, your fears and the force that drives you to insanity. He wants you to question yourself. He wants you to question your worth. He wants you to question your purpose and your life...this is why Blurryface is so scary. He reeks of desperation.

Some of us are barely acquainted with Blurryface. Some of us fight him off on the regular. He's unpredictable. But we only succumb to him if we choose to let him overcome us, if we let him become our mind. That's what he wants. He wants you to give him the reins so he can run wild and wreak havoc within you. He thrives on your weakness and your fear that what he says is true. So choose to be stronger. Fight against your Blurryface. Learn to recognize his lies.

So here's to the kids who deal with anxiety and panic attacks. Here's to the kids who are bullied and abused. Here's to the kids who struggle with depression. Here's to the kids who hate their body, the kids who self harm, the kids with addictions, the kids with PTSD, the kids with eating disorders and all others who struggle just to make it through the day. There are people who want to help you. Reach out to them. But most of all hear these words, and believe in them the way that I believe in you: You are so loved. You have worth. You matter. You have a purpose. You are gifted. You are a gift. You are needed. You can win your battles and overcome your demons. You. Are. Not. Alone. And lastly: I am rooting for you.

Stay sick as frick friends.
~Alexis Grace