all jokes have some element of truth

when your friends make jokes about hating themselves, stop them. don’t laugh. i know in the moment it might slip out, but make sure you follow it up with asking them about it. don’t accept a calm, “i’m the worst” tell them, “no, you’re not.” even if they made big mistakes, tell them it’s okay. that they just messed up a little bit. even if you told them before they did it that you thought it was a bad idea: no “i told you so.”

let them know that you don’t agree with the voices in their head. the thing about this is that once they hear you gently correct them, they’ll start to hear how much they say this kind of thing. and hopefully, over time, they can start correcting the voices, too.

i know it’s the kind of joke i make all the time, but the truth is that those jokes are insidious. when you loudly announce, “i’m a waste of space” and other people laugh: they’re agreeing. and it adds up. the thing is: all jokes have some element of truth. and that little bit of truth weighs a whole lot on you. 

Want to Count shoulders?

this is so important

if you have little brothers (or sons) make them do housework. honestly start from an early age and teach them how to clean up after themselves, how to cook and how to respect the women in their lives. never expect the girls to do all the work while the guys are free of all responsibilities. this is so important. 

Do You Know

Do you know a life of loneliness and one filled with pain,

living a life with nothing to gain,
Surrounded by darkness, overwhelmed with shame.
A life without peace with no one to blame.

Do you know of a place unseen,
A place that holds only shattered dreams,
A place filled with sorrow with no end in sight,
I am given this gift each and every night.

Do you know of a place so cold,
This is the place I call my soul,
A place without hope or comforting dreams,
A life not worth living wouldn't it seem.

Do you know of a life that should have never been,
And the feeling that today this life has to end.
One more day of sadness is much too hard to bear,
I am tired of living a life of heartache and despair.

Do you know a person with so much pain inside,
Or the feeling of loneliness when no one hears your cries,
Maybe when the tears are gone and I can clearly see,
The only question left will be...

DO YOU KNOW ME?

sure of yourself

“Be alone. Eat alone, take yourself on dates, sleep alone. In the midst of this you will learn about yourself. You will grow, you will figure out what inspires you, you will curate your own dreams, your own beliefs, your own stunning clarity, and when you do meet the person who makes your cells dance, you will be sure of it, because you are sure of yourself.”

Queen Lizzy is not playing

Words to remember