1. You never know what someone is going through.
While this may seem like an overdone phrase, it is extremely important. Confidence can be a facade, and you may never know what one kind gesture or compliment could mean to someone. If I’m being honest, this is one of the most important “things” on this list because I didn’t know what I was going through. And I was literally studying it for my major.
2. Stay true to yourself, your boundaries, your beliefs, and your emotions.
The person I truly believe to be my soulmate on this earth once said to me, “I know that I stayed true to myself in everything, so I am proud of myself.” This person inspires me daily, but her kindness, empathy for others, and confidence in herself are traits I aspire to consistently exemplify. I am choosing to remain true to myself at all times.
3. Your feelings are valid.
Whether you should or should not have reacted in the way you did, you were simply reacting. Humans are emotional beings, and emotions are what make us human. Feeling is not something to be ashamed of, and my wish for everyone reading is that you remember that you have every right to feel how you feel, always.
4. There is power in asking for help.
There is power in the community. There is power in vulnerability. There is power in asking for help. About a month ago, I called a fellow HerCampus girl and asked for genuine, honest advice. I didn’t know who else to turn to, and it just so happened that this girl became one of my closest friends in a span of just a few weeks. How? Vulnerability. Real, raw, honest emotions. She saw me in states of panic, heartbreak, and helplessness and loved me anyway. She supported me, encouraged me, listened to me, and gave her honest opinions. To the person I’m writing about, I believe you know who you are, and I am so thankful for you. You came into my life at the most perfect time, and I truly cannot imagine a life without you in it.
5. The right people will love you for exactly who you are.
Tough times reveal people’s true colors, right? The people who loved on me, supported me, listened to me, sent me resources, and checked in on me, are now the people in my life who I believe are deserving of my time. The friends who looked past the tears and swollen eyes and drove over just to give me a hug are the ones I want to keep in my life forever. To me, loving someone is loving them at their best and worst, good and bad, whether this is platonic or romantic love. The right people won’t invalidate your feelings or make you feel small. The truest friends will encourage you, will be hurt when you are hurt, and celebrate every single victory with you, big or small.