Broken Crayons Still Color

Warning

The series of poems composed after this chapter regards very serious subjects such as depression, self harm, anxiety, and other mental illnesses. These poems are not meant to set anyone off, however, the goal of these poems is to bring awareness to a very serious matter. Our nation has failed to recognize mental health as more then just feeling "sad" or "down". Those who have suffer from diseases such as depression are much stronger than you think. They must fight to go to work, care for their families, be there for friends, and act "normal" while battling unimaginable pain. Because you cannot recover from anxiety by just staying calm. You cannot recover from depression by just being positive. You can't even recover from anorexia nervosa by just eating more. The only thing more exhausting than having a mental illness is pretending like nothing wrong with you.

But no more.

Over the last year, I have suffered from my own mental illnesses. However, as I grow stronger in my recovery and heal within time.. I've learn that there is no right or wrong way to manage your mental illness. You are not less of a person for needing medication or having to go through therapy multiple times a week. If something helps your mental health then take the time to do it. Don't stop. You are enough. It is unbelievable how enough you are. Be gentle with yourself because you're doing the best you can.

Please enjoy these poems I've made myself with an open mind and a heart of gold. I hope by sharing pieces of my story that others can learn and be inspired to either help themselves or help others.

Thank you.

(Some of these poems are also based on actual experiences, real people, or just the nightmares that have haunted me late at night. But I will not share what is what. Real or not real. I will keep just that bit of information to myself.)