I wanna get this off my chest. I constantly spiral and make myself feel insufferable, to the point where others notice my pain. It's been really difficult to look into the mirror lately when I'm even afraid to look at my own reflection. So I ask myself this: Why don't I pick myself for the first time? Why don't I start going to places not because others give me permission to, but because I allow myself to be part of the experience? Sure there'll be some times where you aren't permitted to go to certain places, which in that case is totally valid, but sometimes you shouldn't have to seek others' permission to just be you. Part of showing a confident personality is KNOWING when to take that initiative. Without anyone else telling you to, when to start that project and meet the deadline, and knowing when things get tough that you have to pace things up. Building that confidence can be very hard when all I've ever known is seeking it from others. I know how hard it is to really come up with something tangible. I know I talk about mental health a lot on this website, which can seem off-putting, but I feel like it is such an integral part of my identity to talk about issues that affect so many people, that I think if even one other were to read this article, I'd be really proud to have spread my word.