Lev St. Valentine

i always see these posts about mutuals, but i just wanted to clarify that you can always

even if we’re not mutuals; the beauty of mutuals is grand, but i believe in helping/being there for everyone to the best that i can

things get better slowly. you’ll wake up and you won’t feel an aching dread in your chest, but feel lighter. you’ll start to notice little things that make you smile: sunlight, soft pyjamas, hot tea, biting into fresh fruit. you’ll seek out these things, and your life will get warmer and fuller. day by day. you may still have days where you can’t get out of bed, but they’ll be fewer - small dark spots in a world of colour. if things aren’t too good yet, please remember that recovery is slow. show yourself some kindness. you deserve it.

you don't have to live up to other people's expectations of you to be worth something. you have inherent value, and inherently deserve love and kindness. you'll find meaning in life outside of academics or skills, for there is so much more out there.

it's okay if you aren't what your parents or teachers wanted. you're you, and that'll always be enough.

things get better slowly. you’ll wake up and you won’t feel an aching dread in your chest, but feel lighter. you’ll start to notice little things that make you smile: sunlight, soft pyjamas, hot tea, biting into fresh fruit. you’ll seek out these things, and your life will get warmer and fuller. day by day. you may still have days where you can’t get out of bed, but they’ll be fewer - small dark spots in a world of colour. if things aren’t too good yet, please remember that recovery is slow. show yourself some kindness. you deserve it.

to put it simply, the right people will get you. you will not have to fight for breadcrumbs of love. you will not have to beg for attention. the right people will love you freely and easily, and will carve out space in their life for you. the right people will check up on you on your bad days & laugh with you on your good. you will find friends who embrace every part of you, and who will push you to grow. someday, any trace of those who hurt you will be filled with warmth from those who never will.

you don’t need to race through life, checking off milestones as you go - no matter how much you think you’re “supposed to”. there is time for everything you want to do, and there is time to relax. you don’t have to finish everything as soon as you can. take your time. there will always be time. we are not here to check points off of a list!! we are here to smile at babies, and help someone cross the street, and to create art, and to eat dessert, to hug a friend, and to feel the warmth of the sun. you are more than what you achieve & you will be okay if these things take a while.

i mean this completely seriously but… a cup of coffee can save your life a little, a shower can save your life a little, making your favorite meal can save your life a little…….little things actually add up to really big things in the long run if you let them, the secret to surviving everyday is infusing a little bit of magic into the mundane i truly believe that

you don’t need to race through life, checking off milestones as you go - no matter how much you think you’re “supposed to”. there is time for everything you want to do, and there is time to relax. you don’t have to finish everything as soon as you can. take your time. there will always be time. we are not here to check points off of a list!! we are here to smile at babies, and help someone cross the street, and to create art, and to eat dessert, to hug a friend, and to feel the warmth of the sun. you are more than what you achieve & you will be okay if these things take a while.

eye-opening tumblr post for me included the words "people are meant to be burdens" as in humans rely on and support one another and it's not a bother it's our purpose; to love and be loved in return. so if you ever think you're being annoying just remember we were made to love and it's going to be okay

coming from the perspective of an addict in recovery. i'm a lot, i need help, i am a burden, and i am so, so loved and supported by my friends and family. i owe them my life and my heart

People will still love you even when you're not at your best, people will still love you even if you're not perfect, people will still love you even if you mess up and make a mistake, people will still love you when you're not feeling like yourself at a certain moment, people will still love you even if you don't love yourself.

People will still love you, no matter the circumstances. There will always be someone that loves you, even if you don't realize it right now.

you don’t need to race through life, checking off milestones as you go - no matter how much you think you’re “supposed to”. there is time for everything you want to do, and there is time to relax. you don’t have to finish everything as soon as you can. take your time. there will always be time. we are not here to check points off of a list!! we are here to smile at babies, and help someone cross the street, and to create art, and to eat dessert, to hug a friend, and to feel the warmth of the sun. you are more than what you achieve & you will be okay if these things take a while.

25% is better than 0%. trying a little is better than not trying at all. eating a protein bar is better than nothing. using dry shampoo is better than not showering. cleaning one section of your room or house is better than not cleaning any of it. writing a paragraph of your essay is better than not starting it. whatever you can manage today is okay. you can try again tomorrow. little steps are to be proud of.

to everyone who's lost a mom, has suffered abuse from their mom, has no or a strained relationship to their mom, is struggling to concieve, or anything else that makes today hard, i see you. you have every right to take today for yourself. you have no obligation to call your mom or do anything for her, if she hasn't earned it. sending everyone struggling today so much love.