Reasons to Keep Going

1. Water. Drinking it, bathing in it, showers, oceans.. water is just a beautiful thing.

2. Your favorite beverage. I love a good cup of hot black coffee or a sugar free lemonade. Find what you like and never run out of it.

3. Your favorite artists is going to keep making music. And it’ll probably be a little different and could be even better than your favorites of theirs. My favorites are Real Friends and Blackbear. I know I listen to them when I need a reason to be okay.

4. New music in general. I just love discovering new songs and artists. It introduces you to a variety of things. I learned Pitbull when I’m depressed and get super weird he will get me back to a good mood. If I didn’t stay, I wouldn’t have got to see Pitbull in concert with my best friend. It was a BLAST.

5. Comfort items!!! Oh, this is my favorite thing to introduce to contacts. What brings you comfort? A teddy bear, a favorite blanket, a show, drawing? The possibilities are endless! Find yours and keep them on deck.

6. You have not met all the people who are going to love you. You just haven’t. Especially not at 16, 24, 27.. you will meet so many more friends, lovers, people you consider family. Don’t give up just because you have shitty people around you right now.

7. New adventures. I went to Pride for the first time, saw Real Friends in concert for he first time, met internet friends, saw Pitbull in concert and met SO many amazing people in 2022. I’m so glad that through it all, I stayed because if I hadn’t? I wouldn’t have got to have the best days of my life.

8. Spite. I had a trans contact tell me they couldn’t go because they would be buried as a man when they knew they were a woman. So they were living out of spite. I think that is admirable. Live to spite anyone and everyone that has hurt you.

9. New crushes. They are so fun. Even when they totally destroy (aka crush) your heart. But still fun in the beginning.

10. New trinkets. I love water bottles and cups. A new cup will make me so happy. Find what you like to collect. I also collect rocks. All fun stuff.

11. Yoga. Or lifting weights. Or skiing. Whatever your workout is, find it and enjoy it. Find multiple. Switch it up.

12. Listen to your body. It will tell you what you need. Yes, push yourself but also take breaks.

13. Family and friends. If you need to live for others, do it. They would miss you and grieve you every day.

14. Pets. Who will take care of them? How wil they know you are gone? Pets grieve, too.

15. Missing out. If you leave now, you miss the newest gadgets, you miss replacing your watch with a cooler one, you miss out on new art pieces your children might make, you miss out on so so much if you leave now.

16. Things will get better. I know it doesn’t feel like this. Hell, I had about 6 shitty years. But then one day, you change, life changes and you will see that it did get better.

17. Driving. Especially if it’s with someone you care about, the music is blasting, windows down.. it’s a good day to stay.

18. Helping others. Seeing the look in their eyes or hearing it in their voice makes the experience that much better.

19. Uncontrollable laughter. This one is best with someone you care in weird moments.

20. Coping skills. They can work so great for so many people. Find what works for you.

21. Art. You can create it, consume it. It still can impact your life in so many ways.

22. Hobbies. My hobbies have kept me alive. Find what you like to do and run with it.

23. Meeting new people. It’s a rush to meet new people. You never know who will become a big part of your life.

24. Dogs. Dogs deserve their own line.

25. Having a community. You will find that community. Maybe through work, through friends, family.. you’ll find them. Hang on tight to those that support you.

26. Sunsets and Sunrises. There is nothing more breathtaking. Live to see one more, then one more, then one more.. until you don’t have to try so hard anymore.

27. Nature. It’s so vast and so open. Get out there and breathe some nice outside air.

28. Singing along to your favorite song. There’s no better experience. I cried. It’s magical.

29. Stickers. Or stamps. Just fun things you enjoy. I love a good mental health sticker or band sticker.

30. To see another day. It will be kinder than the last. You got this. Hang in there.