To the Friends Who Always Have My Back in Mental Health Recovery

I am fortunate enough to have a plethora of amazing friends who are loyal, thoughtful and always have my back. They always lend a shoulder to cry on, answer to my 100 text messages during a break down and always give me positive mantras to live by. There was a time in my life I didn’t think I should rely on anyone — because I thought, Who knows who will actually still be there tomorrow. That train of thought caused me to think about how only I have my own best interest at heart and I shouldn’t rely on anyone else. But little did I know that all those messages I send and all the hours of conversation with my friends recounting the many nights I was feeling low was me relying on others. They sat there patiently trying to calm me down, to reassure me of the person I am, the hope that’s out there and the potential there is in life.

I began to realize later on that it must be hard for them too — to be a friend to someone who is so mentally fragile. Because it means they are on the receiving end of intense emotions. I began to realize how little time I spent asking about them and their lives in comparison to the time spent they listened to me drone on about my problems.

That’s when you realize the importance of friendships and having a support system. Without them, who knows where I’d be today. Who knows how far I’d have come. Mental health issues are hard to overcome alone. They shouldn’t be dealt with alone. I thank my friends for never giving up on me even when I wanted them to.

To my amazing friends, I’m sorry for making you a dumpster for my emotions, but I thank you for letting me. I thank you for your constant reassurances of my character, for always lending a shoulder to cry on, for giving me hope that there’s a lot of potential in life — too much to let life pass by. I hope everyone in this world can find themselves a bunch of amazing friends as I have, ones who allow for someone like me who is always full of self-doubt and low confidence, to look forward to life and all of its potential.

You all didn’t have to listen to me. You didn’t have to dedicate your time and put my issues ahead of your own. You didn’t have to be there for me, but you did because you’re the beacon of hope someone with a fragile mind needed. You’re the friends everyone should have in their lives because you’re the ones who do their best to pick you up when you’re down even if they’ve got their own issues going on.

Thank you for being the best friends I could ever ask for. Thank you for being good people overall, for dedicating your time and love to someone who didn’t know if they were worthy of it. Cheers to you and a lifetime of friendship.

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Thinkstock photo via Mikos.