Daring To Take Up Space

by Daniell Koepke

The irritating thing about anxiety is that you know it’s irrational.

and all of the reason in the world isn’t enough to ease the feeling that you’re going to die.

You aren’t pathetic or weak—your brain is just different. And it’s okay. Different is okay. ———

You don’t have to be alone just because you’re battling your own darkness.

Someone courageous enough to connect, despite the lies in your head.

Self-hatred doesn’t get unlearned through isolation. It’s unlearned through love.

Even if your circle is small or empty.

You’re here, living and trying despite it all; showing up every single day, even when it’s hard.

And that counts for something.

You’re just not for everyone. And that’s okay.

No matter how many people find you difficult to love, there will always be others who feel like they’ve struck gold.

You’re not for everyone, and this doesn’t have to be a bad thing.

I choose me.

I’m learning that in the same way fixating on all the things going wrong feeds depression and hopelessness, noticing all the things that are still going right makes room for hope and helps give you new strength.

You’re not an exception. You never have been. You never will be.

So much of what keeps us stuck in our fear is the “What if?”