Life has its ups and downs,

but how far can life stoop

before it becomes too much for a person to bear?

I asked myself this question everyday for three and a half years.

I told myself that since life couldn’t get any worse, it could only get better;

it didn’t.

 

Everyday seemed to worsen little by little.

My life has been a series

of seemingly impossible challenges and burdens

for one meek little heart to bear.

My life is the story of a survivor.

 

I was a soldier in a war that was seemingly infinite.

The days were long,

and the nights were painful;

tears felt like acid in my eyes,

searing my cheeks as they streamed down my face.

I was a soldier in a war, and my enemy was myself.

 

Heart pounding,

hands trembling,

mental health crumbling;

that was a typical day in the life

of a struggling survivor.

 

 

 

Medication and therapy couldn't heal my bleeding heart;

 

It was me who had to save my own life, 

 

and that was something I didn't know how to do.

 

 

 

I forced myself to take risks,

 

like auditioning for a musical;

 

being apart of something helped me realize

 

that I have a role in this world,

 

regardless of size.

 

 

 

I chose to let depression and anxiety define who I am today;

 

They prove that I am good enough,

 

I am strong enough,

 

I am a survivor;

 

And frankly, I think that's pretty awesome.