At the end of today's rambling session (because that was a lot, and sure as hell not cohesive), I just want to thank my friends for being there when I wasn't feeling great. I'm sure at least one of y'all will find this and just... Thank you. I don't say it enough. I appreciate it more than I say. ❤️

It can be in 5 minutes, 5 hours, 5 days. But please get back up when you feel strong enough. Your friends are right there for you. And any true friend won't judge you for your struggles. If they truly care about you, they'll be there to support you, dust you off with a smile, ready to try again.

What we all need right now is a break. A break from the world at large. A break from all of our personal stresses. You don't have to be strong all the time. You're allowed to bend and break. And if life knocks you down, it's okay to not immediately get back up. Breathe. It's okay. You can try again.

Sometimes, just screaming out lyrics from that one song helps. Sometimes crying while letting someone else sing the words trapped in your head helps. Everyone copes differently. Everyone's hope takes a different shape. Just don't let despair consume you. Even if giving up seems easier.

And at the end of it all... You don't have to hold on to what isn't helping. Maybe you truly believe that there's not a future waiting for you. Holding onto hope can hurt just as much as not hoping at all. I've been there. Hoping for a tomorrow that doesn't come isn't always the way. So focus on now

Perhaps it's just cute cat videos. That one anime/manga series. The next chapter in your gacha game. Maybe your light is hidden in something you left behind years ago. It could be that one character that helped you cope. Perhaps it's just taking a moment to ramble on about whatever comes to mind.

It's not gone. And it's something we have to keep in mind. It's so, so, so very far away, but it's there. Yeah, the future is dark and grey and uncertain, but there's also small little pockets throughout the day. Especially within our small circles. There's always gonna be that one artist. A friend.

The world is getting bleaker by the day. People we look up to turn out to be some of the worst out there, or support those who actively want some of us dead. Even on a smaller scale, it's just hard to live normally. Prices of everything goes up, we're all overworked and underpaid. Where's the light?

But, I have to remind myself constantly, I do. We all do. You don't always have to be the one everyone leans on. You can lean on others too. But that's so much harder than it sounds. Being vulnerable is hard. It's so very hard. Especially for people who were hurt MORE when they tried to open up.

But, I also know that I don't *have* to be joyful and whimsical 24/7/365. I'm allowed to breathe. And I think that's where some of my recent issues have been. Everyone says they always have their DMs open. That they are willing to sit and talk but. It's hard. I don't usually feel I deserve the same.