To the 20-Year-Old Who Needs a Reminder That Life Is Worth It

Dear 20-year-old self,

You look scared. Everyone keeps saying suicide is selfish. Suicide is greed. But what’s selfish is how some keep driving you to feel that way. That’s not OK.

I want you to know it’s OK not to be OK. It’s OK to cry. It’s OK tell someone you’re hurting. You don’t have to fake a smile. You don’t have to hide your scars. I can tell it’s more exhausting at the end of the day to pretend to “pretend.”

I want you to know, life really is worth it. You’re probably asking why because I know you. The answer is because you are worth it. You may not know it, but someone needs you, someone needs to hear there is hope, and that will only come from you. You can hear that this or that person cares — but someone out there needs to know you care.

Don’t let this world break you. Life ain’t always beautiful, but it’s a beautiful ride.

Love,
Your 25-year-old self

If you or someone you know needs help, visit our suicide prevention resources page.
If you need support right now, call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. 

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