After another year, we learn to love ourselves.

Congratulations to all who have survived 2021! It has been a cluster of unfortunate events — the pandemic, tragic deaths, and those whose mental issues got worse; and yet, here you are, still standing strong and ready to face whatever the world throws at you. 2021 may not have been your best year; but know that I am proud of you and all that you have achieved: whether it be overcoming a problem you hesitate to tell anyone, learning a new hobby, or simply happy that you have grown into a better version of yourself.

Let's face it —  there is no one else to support you but your own. There will be people who want to drag you down; people who will do anything to prevent you from doing what you love. I've told myself countless times that it was only temporary — mulling it over served no actual purpose. But I was wrong. What I felt before when I was younger, I couldn't feel now. Because I let it all go. I let the idea into my head, that the magic of childhood was only an illusion that didn't help in the slightest to prepare me for the real world.

Cry when you're sad. Get angry when you're being treated wrong. For a whole year of making it through, a year of constantly defending yourself from whatever people tell you, it's finally time that you deserve to do things that make you, yourself.

source for image used: https://www.thepassiontranslation.com/how-loving-people-better-will-help-you-love-god-more/