i survived a lot privately this year. things i never talked about, things nobody will ever fully understand. i went through hard days, heavy thoughts, and silent battles no one knew about. i cried in secret, pushed myself to get up, and kept going even when i felt tired in my heart. i learned i am stronger than i thought, not because i wanted to be, but because i had to be. i held my own hand when no one was there, and i picked myself up again and again. i healed slowly, in small steps, even when it hurt. this year taught me that real strength is quiet and lonely sometimes. but i made it through, and that is something to be proud of.