6 Things I Learned in 2014

1) Relapse happens. The pain will come in waves and you'll go days thinking that you've beaten it and can finally move on. Remember, it's okay to be sad sometimes, just make sure you get back up and try again tomorrow.

2) You and only you can determine your own self worth. Look in the mirror every morning and tell yourself that you will love yourself today. You will love the messiness of your hair, and the freckles across your cheekbones. Love the skin that heals and forgives. Love all of you. Nourish your body, care for it, heal it, find a home in yourself.

3) Wash your sheets, change your pillow case, wash your blankets. Wash away all the days you've spent withering in bed crying. Wash the tears away. Wash away all the sad skin cells. Wash away the darkness. Take a shower today. Brush your teeth. Make yourself a good breakfast and remind yourself that you deserve to eat. Dress to impress--yourself. Do whatever makes you feel put together, even if you're not leaving the house.

4) Get new curtains. Close them. Close your eyes. Open them. Pull away the curtains. Let yourself be reminded that there may be things in life you can't control, but how much light enters your room is something you can control. The same can be said for your soul. You decide how many people you let help you. You decide how and who you love. Let that sink in for a moment.

5) Smart is good, but no letter on a piece of paper is ever worth losing your mental health over.

6) It's okay to ask for help, even the best fall down sometimes. Take thirteen steps, and fall fourteen but feel success in your broken bones. Don't let yourself cry at the base of your mountains. Climb them with bricks tied to your feet and gravel in your pockets. Don't be afraid of falling because once you hit the ground, you can finally start heading up again.