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@Katie008

Hey, thank you for opening up and sharing something so deeply personal. That takes so much strength, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now. I just want to start by saying: I see you. Your pain is real. Your story matters. And you matter.

What you’re going through isn’t something anyone should have to face alone, and I’m so sorry that you’ve been carrying this weight for so long. Sometimes the things that happen to us carve such deep marks, it feels like no amount of time will ever smooth them over and I know that “moving on” or “just healing” is not that simple. People love to throw those words around, but what they don’t see is that some wounds don’t just fade. Some days it’s not about thriving, it’s just about surviving and even that is exhausting.

But here's the thing: the fact that you’re still here, still trying, still breathing that’s incredibly brave. It doesn’t mean you're broken or weak. It means you’re fighting a battle most people never see.

You might not fully understand why self-harm became your coping mechanism, and that’s okay. Sometimes it’s not about logic it’s about trying to cope with pain that feels unbearable. It’s about trying to feel something when everything inside feels numb, or trying to not feel when it’s all too much. That confusion doesn’t make you any less deserving of love, care, or healing.

I hope you can hold onto this: You are not your pain. You are not your past. You are not the scars. You are a whole human being who deserves peace, kindness, and a life where you can recognize yourself again not the pain, not the shame, but you

You won’t always feel this way. I promise. Healing isn’t linear, and you don’t have to do it perfectly. You just have to keep showing up, even if it’s messy. And when you can’t see the light, let others help you hold the candle.

Please, keep going. You’re worth saving, even on the days you don’t believe it.  

And if no one’s told you today: I’m really proud of you for still being here.