“I want to spark hope in the hearts of the people I reach, and I want to show them that it IS possible to overcome (what feels like) the impossible.”

“I have faced things that I thought would destroy me. My voice is important and if I allow my words to carry I can be a powerful force in the world.”

“My life has changed. I’ve changed. I’m someone I want to be friends with. I find myself worthy of the care that I so willingly give to others.”

“I’ve survived all of the days I thought I wouldn’t. I can tell you I will be here for another birthday and another Christmas, when a couple weeks ago I couldn’t tell you if I’d be here another minute.”

“My experiences provided me with an unique perspective I otherwise wouldn’t have. They taught me that I have a strong will and the courage to overcome any obstacle that stands in the way of freedom.”

“I am wise and creative and insightful and persistent. I will not let my struggles blow these virtues out.”

“I gathered the pieces. I tried to run. I came back, I showed up. There is still so much work to do. But I am here, and I didn’t always believe I would be. And I feel more alive today than I ever have.”

“Today, I have found hope through the right dosage of medication, dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), writing, blogging, running, yoga, and love.”

“Deep inside of me, I found this strength and determination in myself that I never really knew I had. I had to find that little light inside myself that I thought I had lost forever.”

“I am learning that I am capable of supporting myself through the anxious moments that I still frequently experience. My friends and family are there for me, but I am also there for me.”

“I do not let my anxiety define me. Anxiety is something I have, but it is not who I am.”

“To anyone who is struggling with an eating disorder — you deserve to take up space. Your body has worked its entire life to keep you alive.”

“I have used therapy for different reasons: to process thoughts, to get through difficult times, and to connect things from my childhood that have shaped who I am today.”

“Relapsing happens sometimes, but it doesn’t make you weak, it makes you stronger battling it a second time and still coming out victorious.”

“I am learning how to feel the water in the air. I am learning how to treat myself with love and forgive myself for my past mistakes.”

“I believe recovery is about being present, authentic, and intuitive. There is no final destination.”