— Unknown

Every time I see people on here saying how they’ve started to self love, my heart bursts! I can’t say this enough but I truly am proud of us all for wanting to be kinder to ourselves. One day I hope we’re all able to find peace within ourselves :) 

— Lisa Kleypas

You survived the trauma, you will survive the recovery

— Unknown

Stay kind and committed

I think sometimes people who have mental illness (myself included) forget that the reason we may be so tired all the time, is because we’re expending our energy with internally fighting inside ourselves. We’re using up our energy to tackle anxiety, or depression, or whatever the case may be. Fighting against that, along with doing daily chores? Studying? Keeping up with life in general? It can be EXHAUSTING.

So don’t ever feel bad if you need to take a breather for a small while. Don’t feel guilty for needing to nap and replenish those energy juices. Your body is amazing in the way that it can tell us what we need. You gotta take care of yourself, so don’t for a second believe that rest and recooperation has a time restraint on it. Everyone grows at different paces, and that includes rest. So keep growing.

How to help a friend or family member with depression

Sometimes it is hard to know what to say when speaking to a loved one about depression. You might fear that if you bring up your worries he or she will get angry, feel insulted, or ignore your concerns. You may be unsure what questions to ask or how to be supportive.

If you don’t know where to start, the following suggestions may help. But remember that being a compassionate listener is much more important than giving advice. Encourage the depressed person to talk about his or her feelings, and be willing to listen without judgment. And don’t expect a single conversation to be the end of it. Depressed people tend to withdraw from others and isolate themselves. You may need to express your concern and willingness to listen over and over again. Be gentle, yet persistent.

Ways to start the conversation:

1. I have been feeling concerned about you lately.

2. Recently, I have noticed some differences in you and wondered how you are doing.

3. I wanted to check in with you because you have seemed pretty down lately.

Questions you can ask:

• When did you begin feeling like this?

• Did something happen that made you start feeling this way?

• How can I best support you right now?

• Do you ever feel so bad that you don’t want to be anymore?

• Have you thought about getting help?

Remember, being supportive involves offering encouragement and hope. Very often, this is a matter of talking to the person in language that he or she will understand and respond to while in a depressed mind frame.

What you can say that helps:

• You are not alone in this. I’m here for you.

• You may not believe it now, but the way you’re feeling will change.

• I may not be able to understand exactly how you feel, but I care about you and want to help.

• When you want to give up, tell yourself you will hold of for just one more day, hour, minute — whatever you can manage.

• You are important to me. Your life is important to me.

• Tell me what I can do now to help you.

Avoid saying:

• It’s all in your head.

• We all go through times like this.

• Look on the bright side.

• ust snap out of it.

• What’s wrong with you?

• Shouldn’t you be better by now?

Hi sweetheart!

I might not know who you are and I know I probably don’t know what you’re dealing with, but I thought you could use a smile and a hug. Maybe life is stressful right now or maybe you’re feeling down about yourself, or maybe there’s too much on your mind or too much on your plate. Or maybe you just like hugs.

But I believe in you! You’ve got this!

It may take a little while, or maybe no time at all, but things will get better again. I promise. You’re a fantastic and unique person with a story all your own - and this is just a conflict in the plot. Your tale isn’t over! You haven’t reached the ending! Keep going! :D

it’s okay if you’re learning more slowly than everyone else. it’s okay if you stayed in bed all day yesterday instead of being productive. it’s okay that you don’t like every class or teacher you have. it’s okay if you didn’t do as well as you wanted to on that last exam. it’s okay if you forgot to hand in that last assignment. it’s okay if you make mistakes and fail sometimes. 

as long as you get back up and continue to try your best, things will eventually work out. with progress, you will achieve your goals. it might seem scary and overwhelming to start, but trying is never a bad thing at all! sometimes things are going to be hard, but do them because you might surprise yourself. it’s not about perfection, but rather consistency. if you get back up and put in your best effort, you will be so much better off. other people may seem more “successful” than you, but that honestly does not matter. if you take tiny steps, at first it might not seem like you’re getting anywhere, but don’t give up. what other people think is so irrelevant. be patient, and over time, you will realize how far you’ve come. you can do this, and i believe in you! 

u may not like ur arms but they can carry babies and puppies and kittens

and u may not like ur hands but they can hold flowers and other hands and help braid hair

and u may not like ur nose but it helps u smell nice candles and the earth after it rains and the nice lotion u put on

u may not like ur eyes but they help u see pretty people and cute dogs and cats and all the bright colors around you.

you may not like ur legs but they can help u walk through fields of flowers and through cities full of beautiful buildings

and you may not like ur tummy but it’s a good pillow and it helps u digest good food and u may not like ur body but it loves u so much!!! ur body is beautiful and some days may be hard but u have to take care of urself!! i’m rooting for you!!!

— Richelle E. Goodrich

— Unknown

— Unknown

6 Steps to Accepting Yourself

1. Accept that everybody makes mistakes. It’s part of learning, and the way we grow.

2. Accept your body as it gives you life. Choose to love and to nourish it. Also, every single body is different and unique. So, choose to find and focus on those features you love most.

3. Accept that you can’t change what happened in the past. But that time has gone – so it’s time to move on.

4. Accept that others can think what they like – and sometimes their opinions will be hurtful and wrong. But they don’t know your story – and their judgments may be false. So ignore what they are saying, and get on with your life.

5. Accept that your life is your responsibility. Your thoughts, opinions, and what you say and do. And be aware of the fact that there are consequences, too.

6. Accept where you’re at in your journey in life. Be patient, understanding, and kind to yourself.

— Unknown

— Pan’s Labryrinth (via helpingg)