CW: Therapy, depression,
Do you know the point in every romantic comedy when the main character hits rock bottom? They sit in sweatpants, wallowing in their sadness, eating junk food as they cry. For the past few years, I have been a few inches from rock bottom. I started counseling last year to develop better coping mechanisms

My main thought was that if I had my power chair, my self-confidence would soar. Independence is incredibly important to me. A huge selling point for me about going to college away from home was being able to show myself that I could thrive. Somewhere along the way, I lost that. I made decisions, thinking that I made a sacrifice for those around me. No one asked me to make those, and I was the one who suffered.

Also, I cannot make those sacrifices and then complain about them. It’s my fault that I am in my current situation. Those were my choices. You cannot change the past, but make the best decision moving forward. I allow myself to go without for the sake of my loved ones constantly. The problem is, if I give up something that I need for my loved ones, and by giving that up, I hurt them, it’s not worth it. The sacrifice will make everyone bitter.

One of the hardest aspects of my life right now is telling myself I’m worth it. The default solution for me has always been to remove myself from the situation. It is because I feel like a burden. I have never put the onus on myself to figure out what the best solution is for everyone involved. If you are unhappy in your life, and you feel like the world is against you, look at what you can do.

Sometimes you have to prioritize yourself and your needs. It doesn’t make you a bad person. The only way to get out of a bad situation is to keep going. Recharge when you need, but don’t get stuck. Your redemption arc is waiting. Are you ready?