Remind yourself of how far you’ve come. Your heart has drowned in oceans and climbed its way out of deep waters bringing you back to life. Your heart hasn’t given up on your journey. It has continued beating even when you thought it might stop. It continues to beat even when you’re not consciously thinking about it beating. How beautiful is your body – it keeps you going without you having to remind it to.

Remind yourself of the growth you’ve made. The situations you can handle now that you were never able to handle before. The situations that caused your walls to cave in are now pillars of strength for you. The more you’ve spoken up for yourself, the more you’ve found healing. The more you’ve put your heart first, the more you’ve found freedom. Every single seed that becomes a tree of life must break open to begin growing. You have broken to begin growing and you are blooming. You are giving life to the life around you.

Remind yourself of the person you’ve become. You are no longer someone who lives for themselves. You are someone who lives to love others. The darkness you have lived is now Light for people who desperately need it. The shadows that have followed you are now in front of you serving as wisdom for people who desperately need it. People desperately need your stories.

Remind yourself that you are good enough the exact way you are. The voices of society and the people around you aren’t who you are. The opinions of the world aren’t who you are. You aren’t less than in the places you feel less than.

Remind yourself that you can let go of the past. You don’t have to let go right away and you’re not meant to feel free right away.

Remind yourself that with all change, Light shows up. Your future is not only bright, but it is also being guided by Light.

Remind yourself you are capable. People will have much to say about the way you’re living or the dreams you’re planning. You can’t always trust people’s advice who haven’t lived through anything similar to what you have.

Remind yourself you are not what you once did, you are what you do now.

Remind yourself you are worth everything. 

Remind yourself it’s okay to not be busy all the time.

Remind yourself to not get caught up in busyness. 

Remind yourself to take it one thing at a time.

Remind yourself to take your meds if you need them. You’re not weak. 

Remind yourself it’s worth living. 

Remind yourself everything cannot happen all at once.

Remind yourself that you always get through. You are here today.

Remind yourself to be kind, regardless. 

Remind yourself you’re loved beyond your knowledge.

Remind yourself to put yourself before anything else.

God, You know how difficult it is for me to walk away, especially when I care deeply for this person. Choosing to let go of control, of trying to fix what keeps hurting me over and over again, is painful. Choosing to forgive so I can heal is painful too. But I know choosing to walk away to live in alignment with Your promises is always worth it. Help me trust that I can do all things through You, who strengthens me.

I’m asking You now for clarity as I navigate this relationship. Please help me see the truth clearly, and guide me to make choices that align with Your will for my life. Give me strength when I must make hard decisions. Help me prioritize my well-being and trust that You will wrap me in peace if walking away becomes necessary.

I know my relationship with You is the most important relationship in my life. Help me to trust You completely. When I speak to this person, let my words come from You. I forgive them for not being who I needed them to be. I forgive them for hurting me. And I ask that You heal and restore my heart fully.

Amen.

Let that person who’s always been there for you know how you feel with Papyrus. While it’s easy to send a text message — taking the extra time to put pen to paper  to remind them of how grateful you are to have them in your life will mean so much to them.

To the person who means the most to me, the one who gets me through life, who I appreciate more than words can explain…

I don’t know how to thank you for everything you’ve done for me, but thank you.

You notice the small things that no one else does—like when I use a new mascara or perfume. When I get my hair cut half an inch, you ask. You notice when I do something small for you and you make me feel so appreciated. You always find a way to make me feel important. You see me in a way no one else does. 

Thank you for inspiring me to be a better person just by being who you are. You may not realize it, but you are a source of light for me when I am feeling dim. Thank you for seeing the best of me, even when I can’t show it. Thank you for being exactly who you are and for giving me a friendship I’ve wanted and needed my entire life. Thank you for always answering my calls, even if it might be 3am. Thank you for not walking out of my life—for staying through it all and staying to figure it out with me.

I see the best of me when I’m with you.

You are the only person who can make me smile without even trying and being with you always makes me feel better no matter what I’m going through.

I wouldn’t be where I am if I never met you. You’re the person who always replies, and who always gives the most thoughtful and helpful advice. You’re the person who always checks in no matter how distant I’ve been. I don’t think you realize how incredible you truly are.

On the good days and the bad days, you show up for me. You remind me that no matter what happens, we’ll be okay. You put everyone else before yourself because that’s the kind of person you are—genuine, selfless, nurturing, compassionate, and the list goes on. You exude joy in a way I never knew was possible before I met you. You make me feel happier the second you walk into the room. You make me feel safe, worthy, and have helped me open my heart up like I never have before I met you. 

As long as I’m here, you’ll always have someone who’s proud of you. There’s no one like you. I’m so grateful for the day our paths crossed.

You deserve the most beautiful things in life–even the simplest things, like a card you receive on special days. There is only one card I would give to someone like you and that is Papyrus. You deserve the best, always.

Thank you isn’t enough, but thank you for it all. 

This poem is from Stay Until Tomorrow.

Listen, I know it’s scary and uncomfortable and deeply upsetting right now, but you are going to be okay. You have to take this step for yourself. You have to reach beyond what is known and try to trust that you will be okay no matter what. Even if it doesn’t work out. Even if you don’t find what you’re looking for, it’s honorable to show yourself that you tried. It is admirable to get help. You are not weak. You are not worthless. You are not a failure. No one will be upset with you for doing what you need to do for you. Your light is stronger than any darkness. Remember, the courage you need is already within you. The comfort you need is already within you. You can do whatever you think you can’t do.

You are not failing if you are trying your best. You are not failing if the results you want aren’t showing right now. Even if decisions you make now affect you later negatively, in the end it will be okay anyway. Choose your truth over fear. Choose to step out on your own, knowing that whenever you need support, someone will be there. Choose to choose yourself over anyone else.

What is best for you will find you. What is meant to be will come to be. Life is a rhythm of highs and lows and in-betweens, but it is all apart of your story. It all matters. Because even if something isn’t meant to happen, redemption and healing can always happen. Mistakes can always be forgiven. Freedom can always be found.

You are free to be whoever you dream to be. You are deeply loved through it all. At the end of the day what the matters most is how we make other people feel, how we impact them, how we make their life a little bit brighter every moment we have with them. Money matters, but not the most. Pleasure matters, but not the most. Connection matters. Memories matter. Laughter matters. You matter.

There are places you need to go because you deserve the love you’ll find there if you give your soul permission to go. You will know when someone is not worth your energy. You will know when someone is not worthy of the love you have to give. Trust your intuition. We are all worthy of love but only certain souls are meant to love certain souls.

I don’t know what happened to your heart, but please, keep loving. Your love is never wasted. Your love is always seen even if it is not received to the depth you are giving it.

I don’t know what happened to your heart, but please, remind yourself that it’s okay to need a lot of time to move on from what hurt you. It is so important to not give your heart away too soon. It is so important to rest and reflect. It is so important to take time to heal and grow. You deserve all of the time you need to heal from what hurt you. You deserve all of the time you need to be open to love again. It’s okay to feel hurt. All along it wasn’t your fault.

There is no rush when it comes to finding the person you are meant to be with. I know it feels like a rush. I know it hurts when the people around you are in love and you’re not. Maybe sometimes it feels like the world is falling in love and you’re alone wondering why you’re alone. In those moments of being alone, I hope you remind yourself that you are beyond worthy of the love you desire. Write it down if you don’t believe it. I hope you know there is nothing wrong with you. You are not difficult to love. You are not any less than the people you compare yourself to. You are completely enough just as you are. 

Growth is tiring, but growth is so important. Please, let your love overflow through you before you give it away. One day the sunrise will wake you up and you’ll be laying next to someone in awe they are yours. 

Someone who understands you in the most intimate way without you having to whisper a word. Someone that holds you like you are the most delicate beauty in the entire universe. They don’t let you fall. And even if you do start to fall, they don’t hesitate holding you up before you even have a chance to hit the ground.

On the really hard days when you do find yourself in too many broken pieces, they help glue your brokenness back together. They don’t get impatient with you. They don’t raise their voice. They don’t make you feel like you are too much to love. One beautiful piece at a time, this soul helps carry you to a place where you feel whole again.

You may find yourself laying close to them, absolutely beaming in awe that you finally made it back to you again. Not because of them, but because they didn’t give up on you. We deserve people who love us through our healing. You did it together. You deserve someone who loves the rawest form of you. This is what you have always deserved.

You may find yourself in a mess on the bathroom floor, emotional in the most passionate way. Not because you’re sad, but because you can’t believe you’re worthy of this kind of love. You will feel them as an extension of yourself, like you have been split down the middle, and now this, this is your soul finding its other half. You never knew it was possible to love a heart you’ve never held, but now this soul is holding yours, and you can’t move from the disbelief, from the pure delight. They become your definition of your other half, missing pieces, and everything in between.

You deserve the most gentle soul who believes in you and never gives up on you. Who is there for you no matter what. Someone who helps rescue you from the painful places you didn’t know you could ever escape from.

When you find this soul, you know it. There is no other way to describe it. You. Just. Know. And when you do know, I hope you never let them go.

2. Not all positive change feels positive in the beginning. Negative feelings don’t equal negative outcomes. Trust where your heart is guiding you. Growth is happening.

3. Please believe there is still time for you to be all that you want to be. There is time for you to do what you’ve always wanted to do. There is time to fall in love with someone who loves you the way you deserve to be loved. There is time to figure out what you want to do with this precious life. There is time to let go of the people you know aren’t good for you. There is time.

4. It’s okay if you can’t handle everything today. There’s a lot going on and it’s okay to feel everything deeply. It’s okay to feel tired. It’s okay to feel distracted. Do what you can. 

5. Don’t let the actions of another convince you that you are not good enough as you are. Be strong in who you are. Breathe through your worries about the future. Pause when you’re thinking too much. Step back and think about how incredible it is to be alive on this beautiful planet. You are good enough for whatever you do and whoever you have in your life because you were chosen to be here. Right now. In this time. You belong here.

6. You are the reason someone believes in the goodness of people. You are the reason someone believes good and genuine humans exist. Thank you for being you.

7. You should be so proud of yourself for honoring your intuition. It may be hard right now, but you will feel fulfillment from the decision to break free soon. Please, don’t be hard on yourself for not honoring your inner truth right away. You are where you are supposed to be. 

8. You are so lovable. You are so deserving of a kind of love that fills your entire being. You are not any less lovable because of your mistakes. Forgive yourself. You deserve to love every part of you. Love is always finding you. Love is always within you. Go to your heart. Say, “I love you and I am listening.” The more you speak lovingly to yourself, the more love you will experience.

9. You deserve the love you’re looking for. Love will find you. Go within and search for the patience you need in this waiting season. Breathe deeply, feel your heartbeat, and trust that the one you are meant to love is on their way. 

10. Breathe and keep breathing. Focus on the sound of your breath. Focus on the feeling of your breathing. When you can’t focus on anything and your mind is uncomfortable to sit with, breathe. You will feel peace soon.

11. You will always end up okay. Tell yourself this when you don’t feel okay. Even if you don’t believe it, say it. 

12. You are where you need to be. You will get to where you want to be.

13. What doesn’t make sense now will make sense someday – if it’s meant to. We aren’t meant to understand everything. We are always given the knowledge we need when it is time to have it. 

14. One breath at a time. If you can’t handle today, there is always tomorrow. Do what you can. Don’t do everything if you can’t. 

15. You can handle more than you give yourself credit for. You deserve to give yourself more credit. Look at how far you have come. Look at how much you have learned.

16. You are not too far behind. You are where you need to be.

17. You are always stronger than you think you are. Give yourself space to do absolutely nothing and just acknowledge your inner strength.

18. You will find your soulmate when the timing is right. There is nothing wrong with you. Being single or not having successful romantic relationships doesn’t mean you’re a failure.

19. Your best is enough no matter what your best looks like. You should be proud of yourself for trying your best.

20. You are doing better than you think you are. You have made so much progress. 

21. You can, you must, and you should keep going. This is your sign.

22. I hope you know the world is better because you are in it. Thank you for being you.

23. Even though there are people who don’t stay in your life forever maybe they made your life beautiful in some way and that is important to remember. Maybe the beauty that comes from knowing someone is the beauty you find within yourself after.

24. Be kind to your precious mind. Slow down. You deserve to be easier on yourself. The way you speak to your thoughts impacts everything. Your mind isn’t against you. 

25. If you need help, you deserve to reach out. So many people care about you. There is someone who wants to hold your hand through your healing. There is someone who will hold your heart when it’s beating out of your chest. There is someone who will listen and do everything in their power to make sure you are alright now and always. 

26. You are allowed to feel hurt. Your experience is valid. If someone upset you, let them know. Be honest. Let go of the hurt through opening up. Hiding your feelings only makes things worse.

27. You always get through what you go through. You are going to get through this, too.

28. Keep trusting the journey you are on. It might not make sense right now. It might feel overwhelming. You are finding your way. 

29. Never apologize for putting yourself first. You have to take care of yourself before you can be of service to anyone else. 

30. You don’t have to say sorry all of the time. We apologize too much. We easily feel bad when we make a simple mistake or sound awkward. Unlearning this need to apologize is a process, but I hope you find power in standing in your power. 

31. You deserve to have someone you can be honest with about your struggles. You deserve to not feel judged or misunderstood. You deserve to be listened to. You deserve to vent. You deserve to feel safe and to feel a little freer after you speak.

32. You deserve rest. Slow down when you know you need to. Find time to do the things you love. You are allowed to rest. The rest of the world can wait. 

33. You are doing amazing work. Keep going no matter how tired you get. You are not alone and you have so many people who support you. Thank you for the work that you do. You are so appreciated.

I hope you don’t believe what they did to you was your fault. Maybe you made choices that make you think it was your fault, but you have to remember we don’t always make the best decisions when we’re doing our best to simply survive. Sometimes when we’re living in survival mode we hold onto anyone who holds out a hand even if that hand is deceiving. These are the kind of hands that lie. The kind of hands that touch people for their own pleasure. The kind of hands that get what they want however they want to. The kind of hands that are weak and don’t deserve the souls they take advantage of.

The souls they take advantage of are the kind who love more than the love they receive. The kind who don’t stop caring about others even if others haven’t cared enough about them like they are worthy of. The kind that have been through too much. The kind that are doing their best to keep going even though life keeps beating them down. The kind that everyone wants to know and love.

Maybe in the season it happened you were trying to be someone you aren’t because being yourself was too hard. Maybe you were trying to escape your reality because your reality became too hard to live in. Maybe what you believe in was used against you and now you don’t know what you believe in. I hope that no matter what happened to you, you find the peace to believe in yourself. 

I hope that no matter what happened to you, you know that you can find whole healing. I hope you offer yourself all the time you need to find your healing. People will try to make you talk through it. People will think they know what’s best for you but at the end of the day you are the only one who knows what’s best for you. Trust your instincts. Trust the inner voice that is nurturing and kind.

More than anything, I just hope you don’t give up on yourself. I hope you don’t give up on the dreams you know you are capable of. I hope you don’t give up on the future you are excited to live with someone who is incredibly good to you. I hope you know you will find someone who is incredibly good to you if you haven’t yet. I hope you know it’s not too late to find that someone. It’s never too late to start over because sometimes starting over is the best decision we’ll ever make for ourselves. You deserve to be held by hands that are pure and kind. I hope you’re proud of the person you are because you are someone no one could ever be.

This is a guided meditation and poetry reading to help you release any anxiety you are holding in your body. Thank you for being here.

May you give yourself
The permission and compassion
To sit alone
And just feel
The aliveness of your body