i can handle it alone. i've learned how to carry everything by myself, the groceries, the pain, the sadness, the heavy thoughts, the feeling of being misunderstood, the judgment, and even the betrayals. i didn't want to be this strong, but life didn't give me much of a choice. i had to show up for myself when no one else did. i had to keep going, even when i was tired, even when i was hurting. i've learned that the people you love the most won't always be there when you need them. i stopped waiting for someone to save me. i've learned how to wipe my own tears, calm myself down, and keep walking even when everything around me feels like it's falling apart. i'm slowly learning how to be my own safe place, my own home, my own friend. i cheer myself on. i remind myself that i'm doing okay, even when no one says it out loud. and i'm learning to be proud of myself, even if i'm the only one who sees it.