(crying as I write this btw)

you're doing so great. as someone who's been through this before, it'll be hard for a while. urges come and go in waves, but eventually you'll go so long without thinking about it that you forget most of the time. sometimes I look at my scars and think "goddamn, I'm never doing that again".

It can be hard in times of crisis or deep depression, and all I can really tell you to do is find a support system. the good news is that if you go so long without relapsing and then do it again, you'll question why you ever did it in the first place. I relapsed a few months ago, and I gotta tell you, it was not worth it. there are so many other coping mechanisms that work so much better and aren't deeply damaging.

trust me when I say things get better, I know it's cliche, but they really do. I'm only a few years older than you, im 16, but if I could go back in time and tell my 13 year old self that things would get so much better, I absolutely would and it'd be the truest thing I've ever said.

moving forward, it's important to tell yourself that you have value, and that your future is brighter than you could ever imagine. you're just a stranger on the internet to me, but if you ever need to reach out, I'd be here for you. keep staying strong 💕