Dear mind of Ariana,

Do you feel that? Take your shoes off. Feel the ground below you and remember that you are on this beautiful, wondrous Earth. In this moment, right now, you are here.

Do you feel that? The breeze is all around you, flowing through your hair, in-between your eyelashes, it’s everywhere - filling your nostrils and giving you life.

Do you feel that? Your heart is pumping blood. There is a crazy system inside your flesh that is working together to keep you alive and living this crazy life.

Do you hear that? The buzzing sound of humans going about their daily business, each worrying about their own grievances and contemplating their purpose. Checking off their to-do list and immediately making a new one. Immersed in their own world but longing to be a part of someone else’s. Listen to the humans around you – you are not alone.

Do you see that? You are only alone if you choose to be. Your boyfriend is holding your hands, begging you to be present. Your parents are a phone call away, always there to be the listening ear you need. Your friends are a support system waiting to be asked. Your colleagues are rallying beside you, struggling with the pressure, as well. Your professors are approaching you and asking you to come to them for help. You have an army of humans cheering you on.

You are in a temporary position and you are okay.

Please, cry.

But please, breathe.

Your world does not end here.

You are allowed to be here. You are allowed to feel a little worried, you are allowed to feel a little sad and you are allowed to be a little anxious.

But not like this.

This anxiety does not consume you. You are bigger than this, you are more than this.

Look at the sun, look at the moon, look at the starts. You are small. The world will spin madly on and you will have a tomorrow as the sun sets and the moon rises.

Breathe in, breathe out. Inhale, exhale.

Let it go.

You’re okay.