Be Kind to yourself. Remember that you don’t have to do it all. And you don’t have to do it alone. There is always help. There is always hope.
Johannesburg, South Africa (30 September 2022) – The first time I understood suicide – like really understood the trauma of being left behind – was when I was 17. Since then, I have felt it over and over and over.
We all know someone. We have all lost someone. We all understand the trauma now.
And I guess knowing is a constant reminder that we are all fighting really hard battles. We live in a very broken world where people who we love are quietly dealing with massive monsters that we know nothing about. Good grief, all those horrible things we face.
That’s why it is so important to be kinder than necessary or needed to everyone. Full stop. Because we have no idea what other people are dealing with. Try to remember that. Above everything else, just be kind.
Always be kind.
And that means being kinder to ourselves too.
Watch more sunrises. Stop doing shit you hate. Believe in yourself. Do what feels good. Take risks. Make yourself proud. Create a life that makes you happy. Love your body more. Hang with awesome peeps. Throw toxic in the trash. Smash some goals. Walk barefoot. Share your magic. Love louder. Flaunt your awesome. Be kinder to yourself. Be a nice human. Give assholes the boot. Be the reason someone smiles today. Be freaking brave.
Remember that you don’t have to do it all. And you don’t have to do it alone. There is always help. There is always hope.
Hold on. Reach out. Be kind to yourself.
And just in case, here is the 24-hour helpline for the South African Depression and Anxiety Group.
0800-456-789
No goodbyes today.
Okay. Love you.
by 