To those who may be struggling.

This article is written for you!

Everyone struggles at some point in their life, it is inevitable. Some struggle more than others and for prolonged periods of time, while other may just have an off day every once in awhile. I believe in each and every single one of you. I have struggled my fair share of battles and trials, and it is hard, but it is so worth it once you start to appreciate the good things in life all around you.

So instead of rambling on and on, I am going to list some things I have realized to be quite lovely.

I have found nature much more comforting this past year. What I particularly enjoy is a chilly night full of stars and trees, or a bright warm day in a lake or a river. I wander and wander and try to find the little things such as caterpillars or colorful leaves.

I have found spending time getting to know people for who they are is a great feeling, whether they are creative, intelligent, kind, sarcastic, morbid, or a mixture of anything between those lines. Getting to pick up on their nervous habits, or their facial features when they smile, sure does make you enjoy their presence a lot more.

Family time, while it may be overlooked especially in your teenage years, can be so fun. Whether it is a family pool day, or a family outing to the local park, or even a vacation, can make for great memories of laughter and love.

Friendship. Hanging out and watching Disney movies, sleepovers where we raid the food pantries at 3 a.m. in the morning, going to special events for each other, or even just taking naps while cuddled up on a couch. It is going on lunch dates on Valentine's Day when you both are single, and taking goofy selfies together. It is laughing so hard you feel as if you are going to throw up. It is the little things when spending time with your best friends that happen to be the most memorable.

It is alone time. Alone time where you can sort your thoughts out with pen and paper, and some music playing in the background. It is listening intently to the kinda music that makes you feel understood on full blast in your room. It is feeling comfortable in your own presence, your own thoughts, your own little world.

It is learning to find comfort in everyday situations, and knowing that there is a light at the end of this deep and dark tunnel. It is knowing that there still is hope for a brand new day, for a fresh start. It is finding peace within yourself about situations that you are not in control of, and making the best possible decisions for yourself and others around you. It is learning to take care of yourself before others, because in the end, you are left to pick up the broken pieces of your heart.

So to the person who is reading this and who may be struggling, I love you and I wish you the best.

Sincerely,