There's something very haunting clouding around teens and young adults lately. The idea that there is always something wrong in the world. Don't get me wrong, I understand tough times from personal experience from my mom, to my brother-in-law, to my uncles. Tough times never seem to leave my family, but that doesn't mean I should always be looking for something to be wrong with my life.

It's a growing trend to hold onto sadness. A lot of people have trouble letting their depression go, I was one of them. For years I was afraid to be anything but sad, because what else was there? I didn't know anything else, or at least that's what I thought. And it's toxic. It starts with you and spreads and spreads. This doesn't mean everyone does this, but there's a high chance, just like me it'll take some time for you to realize this. When you look back years from now, and you're out of your mental illnesses grasp you'll see why you were so scared to let yourself just be. It's easier said than done obviously, in the simplest terms I can put it, we just have to work on not wanting to be sad. It's not really a want, it's a fear. You're just clinging to sadness because you don't know if there's anything past it and I'm here to say there is. I've been in your shoes, and I've walked a thousand miles, and finally after all this time I can say there's light at the end of the tunnel. Of course I still fumble some nights. I still reach out for sadness once in awhile, because I get scared. Scared of my future, scared of the decision I'm making right this second. Heck, I started writing this piece because I hit a bad spot a couple nights in a row and decided to take these experiences and write something out that not only inspires me, but you as well.

Life is not always wonderful. We've all experienced it. Even when you think everything is wrong, you can always find something that's right. There's always something beautiful waiting right in front of you. A gesture from a stranger on the sidewalk, a text message from your close friend, an embrace from a family member you love. The sun is still rising and you are still seeing another day, and I hope that's enough to tell you that you have to keep reaching for something better. There's no sure way to finally starting peeping out from the darkness of depression, or anxiety, or OCD, or any mental illness, because if so I feel like it wouldn't be so difficult to free yourself. And that's where your journey really begins. Finding the one beautiful thing in your life that pulls you even the slightest bit into the light.

It can be anything. From your dog(s):

Your favorite hobby:

(I.E-crafting)

Your favorite place to be:

Or anything in-between, let it pull you into the light. Even if just for a brief second.