So yeah, this chapter is going to be a little more serious, but I'm still going to slip in some jokes bc I honestly don't know how to write something without using humor.

This chapter goes out to anyone struggling with anything.

I want everyone here to smile at least once while reading this.

Here we go.

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If you are struggling with body positivity: This seems to be a very common problem that everyone has. Females, males, non-binary people, etc. It's hard to feel comfortable in your own skin. I know it is. Sometimes we think we're too fat, sometimes we think we're too skinny, sometimes we think we're missing something. Sometimes, we just don't feel perfect enough. But you know what? You're beautiful. All of you. 

See, the thing is, perfection doesn't actually exist. Perfection is literally a matter of opinion. You cannot say something is perfect and have everyone in the world agree with you. It's impossible to please everyone, because anyone who's alive has their own way of thinking and a different set of opinions than you. So, say it with me: Perfection is an opinion, just an opinion, and nothing more than an opinion.

You. You are somebody's perfect. You are going to light up the world for somebody. You are a living, breathing person that someone, who is alive right now, is just waiting to fall in love with. 

So it doesn't matter if you're overweight or underweight. It doesn't matter if you have stretch marks or scars. It doesn't matter if you don't have boobs or don't have a butt. It doesn't matter if you identify as queer, straight, or a unicorn. It doesn't matter how much makeup you wear, or where you get acne, or if that one front tooth isn't straight, or if one eye squints more than the other when you laugh, or if your eyebrows aren't "on fleek", or if you wear glasses, or if you have braces. It doesn't matter if you have a ridiculous sense of humor, or if you're really quiet, or if you don't get straight A's, or if you're not playing a sport, or if you're considered a geek by your peers, or if you have bright green hair because you fricking love bright green, or if you get angry really easily, or if you're struggling with a mental illness. NONE of that matters, because somebody out there is going to fall in love with every last inch of you. Someone is going to look at you and whisper "damn they're perfect".

You might be curvy. You might have rolls. You might be stick thin. You might have a stomach that hangs over your shorts. You might not be able to find clothes that fit you right. But that's okay. That's more than okay. Because in the end, you will be someone's perfect.

~I know I'm not a hopeless case~

If you are struggling with a mental illness: I understand, probably more than you think. Sometimes you might break down in the middle of the night for no reason in particular. Sometimes you're hurting so badly on the inside that you want to hurt on the outside too. Sometimes you eat too much, or too little, or not enough. Sometimes you purge, sometimes you cut, sometimes you really just want to give up the fight.

You, the people who feel worthless, who are struggling with the monsters inside your heads, who are fighting yourselves; you are so so strong. You are warriors. You will get out of this alive. You will restore yourself back to your full health. I know it's hard now. I know that sometimes it's just impossible to imagine a future for yourself, because life starts caving in on you, you feel crushed, and you don't think you can get out. I know you live in constant fear of relapsing. I know you just want it to stop.  I know how much pain you are in. 

Mental illnesses are truly the toughest battles to fight. You are literally fighting yourself. Your own voices, your own worries, your own fears. But you know what, you are not defined by your mental illness. You are defined as a warrior. Someone who does not know their own strength, but fights anyway.

Your life might be wonderful. You may have everything you've ever wanted. But you have a mental illness, and it makes you upset. That does not mean you're ungrateful. Your pain is valid.

Listen, I know you might feel isolated and alone. But you're not. So many people struggle with what you struggle with. Broken people, in the end, heal by supporting one another. Things will get better. I know you hear it all the time, and I know you don't really believe, but you will not be in pain forever. Keep fighting. Every time you get knocked down, come up kicking. Fight for your life.

Wear your scars proudly. Tilt your chin up when people look at you with pity. Because you do not need their pity. You are showing your battle scars. You are telling them, telling the world, that you are a fighter. That, sure, maybe you got scarred up, but they are simply a reminder that you fought hard enough that It didn't kill you. 

Be proud if you got out of bed this morning. Be proud if you showered. Be proud if you ate. Be proud if this is your first day without cutting or purging or having an anxiety attack. Be proud if you got enough sleep last night. Be proud that you are fighting. Be proud that you are still alive.

And congratulations, warrior, that you are still alive. 

~our brains are sick but that's okay~

If you are struggling with your identity/being accepted: This may be a subject that I have less experience in, but I still want to cheer you guys on. If you're part of the LGBT+ community, or if your family is having a hard time dealing with something you recently told them, something that makes you who you are, I want to know that you are valid. I want you to know that you are supported. Maybe you're trying to figure out who you are. Figure out what part of you is missing.

You will find it. It might be confusing at first, but you will be able to figure it out. The thing is, we are part of society, and society has conformed us to think a certain way. When we think differently, we question it, because it is not how we were trained to think. I just want all of you to know that your struggle is valid. One day, you are going to figure things out for yourselves. One day, you are going to become part of a world where society does not oppress people who think differently.

Humans fear change. Humans fear differences. But I hope, one day, we will learn to embrace these differences. I hope that countries and communities and higher powers learn how to just accept people.

Be proud of who you are. Love who you are. Show off who you are. Tell the world who you are. Do not fear anyone. In the end, they do not deserve your fear. They do not deserve to take up space in your mind, and turn it dark and cold. 

You are loved and accepted by people. You are important. You are valid. You are human. 

Take time to figure yourself out. Take time to accept yourself. Take time to teach your family and friends how to deal with what you told them, and accept you for who you are. Take time to make sure you feel safe. 

Take time for you. Share your pride. 

~love is not a choice~

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I want all of you to know and understand how beautiful and important you are. Sometimes we need a little boost. Remember this. Read it if you need encouragement. I really hope that this helps some of you. I really hope that it made you smile.

You are loved. You are important. You are strong. You are valid. You are perfect.