It started with passion in my eyes,
no more tears, no more cries,
I want to do everything right,
I want to be perfect.

Sit down,
do work,
research colleges.
It’s easy.
But who am I?

The winter hits,
my motivation disappears,
my passion dies,
I have destroyed my life,
I believe it, too.
Where did I go?

They were there for me.
They told me they didn’t want to hang out with me,
“You are depressing.”
“You’ll suck the fun out of life.”
“You aren’t normal.”
“You have no willpower.”
“You’re irresponsible.”
“You’re awkward.”
This is what friends do,
they only want to help me.
Am I really what they say I am?

I sit on my chair,
I cry to the strong woman before me,
I have depression – seasonal affective disorder.
I’m crumbling.

“You’ve been expelled for excessive absences.”-
I’m a failure.
I’m not perfect.
Am I really so insignificant?

“Save Me” was on repeat one.
It was eleven minutes:
minutes full of tears,
minutes full of understanding,
minutes full of happiness.
I am normal.

If I could say something,
something brief but true,
to those who are going through it too:

The winter is over.

Take a step back,
put the camera down,
enjoy life.

You are not your diagnosis.
You are not what others say you are.
You are special.
You can change the world.
You can be unforgettable.
You can.