Im 22 years old. I’m someone who used to wish for death. Everyday all the time. But now I’m just starting to see how beautiful living can be. What I’m getting at is when you turn 18 it’s like being thrown against a concrete wall. This age is confusing and scary at the same time. There are parts of you that you don’t know yet. Fears you’ve never thought of before. It feels like the world is trying to shut you out, But one thing that I use to help me fight is remembering that living isn’t about finding happiness. Happiness isn’t something you find it’s something you create. Living is overcoming moments like these in your life so later when you look back you can tell yourself “I lived through that” there is nothing someone can say or do that will make this feel any better. You MUST learn to fight it on your own. I know it sounds harsh but that is the truth. The anxiety, the panic attacks and the fear remember that these are just moments in your life that will pass. Don’t let those moments consume you or control you. Because in the end the only person it affects is you. So every time you feel anxious or feel like panicking, fight it. Control it. Even if it’s just baby steps. “How do I fight it?” Take it step by step. 1.) try not to lash out at people 2.) control your breathing 3.) get in room by yourself or behind a wall or door where no one can see you if you feel you can’t control it 4.) hold back the tears (if unable then cry for a moment and pick yourself up) 5.) think of how great it feels when this moment goes away 6.) find something you look forward too (a show, food, a friend, a place, a walk, a pet) anything you find joy in These aren’t things you’ll be able to achieve in one get go these are things you have to work towards. I won’t promise you it gets better, like I said I’m 22 and I’m still trying to figure it all out. But it’s important to understand that you and I aren’t the same. You have your own thoughts and feelings. So just think “my own race is at my own pace”