Ria S.
Photography by Peyton Mears
If you’re reading this, be kind to yourself.
If you’re reading this, it means that somewhere deep inside, you're either grappling with the weight of your own struggles or trying to understand the battles others face, and for that, I want you to know this: you are valid, no matter what form your journey takes.
Mental health challenges are too often silenced, pushed into the corners of conversation or hidden beneath layers of shame and misunderstanding. Society has convinced so many of us that our feelings aren’t real or worthy because our suffering may not seem as intense as someone else’s. But hear me: there is no scale, no yardstick, no minimum requirement for your pain to matter. Every mental health struggle is real, and every feeling deserves space to be felt and understood.
Mental battles like anxiety don't come in a neat, identifiable package. It’s not always loud or visible. Sometimes, it can look like panic attacks, shaky hands, and uncontrollable waves of emotion. Other times, it is quiet and internal, a war raging silently. It doesn’t matter how these feelings show up for you—they’re valid. For those who struggle in ways that are easily overlooked, know that your pain isn’t invisible just because it’s unseen.
Depression, too, is a chameleon; it wears a thousand faces. It can look like sadness, withdrawal, and despair. But it can also look like someone who’s laughing with friends, someone who seems “fine” on the outside, someone who appears to be doing “all the right things.” You might not see the signs, but that doesn’t mean the struggle isn’t there. People fight battles in ways we may never fully understand, and that’s why kindness and compassion matter so much. So, remember this: if you’re carrying something heavy, it’s okay if no one else sees it. It’s real.
I know what it’s like to feel torn between gratitude and grief—to have a roof over your head, people who love you, and still feel weighed down by inner battles. It’s a strange, guilt-laden contradiction that so many of us face. And it doesn’t make you ungrateful; it makes you human. Just because you recognize your blessings doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to feel pain. You can have everything you thought you wanted and still feel empty. Inner struggles don’t disappear because of external comforts, and it’s not selfish to acknowledge that.
In my culture, there are often unspoken rules around mental health: silence, resilience, and “strength” are values. Seeking help can be seen as weakness, and it’s an expectation to “keep going” no matter how hard things get. But your pain doesn’t diminish your strength. You’re allowed to prioritize your well-being, even if that means saying “no” to people you care about. You’re allowed to have messy days, to need space and time for yourself. You’re allowed to ask for help, even if it goes against everything you’ve been taught. This is strength—taking care of yourself, honoring what you feel, and knowing when to reach out.
So, if you’re reading this, hold these words close: You deserve space for every part of your journey, the light and the dark, the strength and the struggle. Every step you take matters, and every feeling is part of the story you’re allowed to tell. Keep going, keep holding on, and remember—you’re not alone. In a world that sometimes forgets to listen, let this be your reminder that you are heard, you are seen, and you are worthy, exactly as you are.
Ria S., Florida State University
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