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Health and Wellness

Open Letter to the People Who "Can't Handle It"

I'm tired of the dehumanizations I see every day

Patricia Mele

Feb 27, 2017

Houghton College

Open Letter to the People Who "Can't Handle It"

WARNING: this article may be rather bold and outspoken.

But...hear me out. For everything is out of personal observations.

I have a friend

She has anxiety

She wonders if her boyfriend will stay with her. She may just be too much work. After all, why should the fact that he may love her, make any difference?

She is a person too.

I know a girl

She was diagnosed with leukemia...

....in the middle of her academic career. Guys that were attracted to her began to have second thoughts. Why would anyone date her? After all, in the event that she dies, no one should have to go through the pain of falling in love with her, just to loose her. Right? Wrong.

She is a person too.

I know a guy

He had a painful childhood and a broken past

Who wants to be involved with someone who has so much baggage? You don't need that in your life.

He is a person too.

I have a best friend

She suffers from depression.

She's afraid to ask for help and to vent to her friends.She doesn't want to be a burden.

She is a person too.

These stories are all true. But more importantly, these stories are more common than many of us realize. And here's my point. If you can't handle these concerns or struggles that people deal with, you will never be able to handle life.

These are real people with real frustrations. They are people and they are not alone.

But for some reason, many of us think that we have the right to label them and to define them by what they struggle with and what they face on a daily basis.

We, as humans, think we have the right to dehumanize others.

Just let that sit for awhile. When I see this happening around me, I can't stay silent. I must say something. And if writing a piece on a public platform is the only way I can do that, then I will do it. Think before you do something. Think before you say something. And one day, when you go through a dark time in your life and YOU are that guy, you are the girl, you are that friend; just remember...that when it happens to you, it's always a totally different story. And it shouldn't be.

Think before you act. Think before you say. Think before you do. For one day that person in your life that is "too much work" and "too much to handle" will be you.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Open Letter to the People Who "Can't Handle It"

I'm tired of the dehumanizations I see every day

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

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