There was a time when every new day was just an accident waiting to happen, in my mind.

For over five years, I'd dealt with an ever-growing depression and struggled to figure out just how anything could get better in a life with no hope.

But at the time, I didn't realize that hope could be found anywhere - even in myself.

I went to therapy, talked to friends and family, and realized how beautiful the world truly was and how much good happened alongside the bad we only seem to hear about. And I realized that everyone was special and had a right to smile, to just... be happy.

I'll be going to a school dance soon with a group of friends. I've been getting out more, feeling happy, and getting back into the things I used to enjoy. These are things that for five years, I never would have done before, because I was too scared or felt too isolated.

Things do get better. No matter what you're going through, no matter how dark the sky may seem, there is always sunlight after the storm, and there's always a tomorrow.

Don't give up on it, and don't give up on yourself.

There's only one you in this world. (=