I’m afraid of a lot of things. I’m afraid of hurting myself standing up from the ground or taking a wrong step. I’m afraid of heights. I’m afraid of falling. I’m afraid of deep water.

I’m afraid of putting on more than 20 extra pounds. I’m afraid no matter what I do, I’ll never see a pretty girl in the mirror. I’m afraid that others will hate me. I’m afraid of never really being myself around people.

I’m afraid of loud noises. I’m afraid of men who don’t leave me alone when I ask them to leave me alone. I’m afraid that my family will be hurt. I’m afraid that my family hasn’t and can’t live their best life.

I’m afraid of an ex who keeps reaching out and others have told me is a bad person. I’m afraid that I wasted a lot of time on a person I never loved but said I did. I’m afraid I will keep feeling like love is saving a person. I’m afraid I’ll keep lying to myself that I love someone when I actually don’t like them.

I’m afraid of reaching back out to toxic people out of loneliness. I’m afraid of not being nice to myself. I’m afraid I’ll forget I’m actually pretty cool. I’m afraid that I will never read all the books I own.

I’m afraid that the country is going to collapse. I’m afraid of a civil war. I’m afraid of police. I’m afraid that as a white passing person I’ll keep being approached by racists that think I agree with them. I’m afraid of the people that keep trying to bring me to church. I’m afraid that everything is too far gone.

I’m afraid that I’m programmed to bring myself down. I’m afraid that I’ll keep meeting people that like to say awful things to me. I’m afraid of myself for believing them.

I am better than that. I’m okay cutting out toxic people. I’m okay knowing they are toxic. I’m okay letting myself be me. I’m okay in the body I have. I’m stronger than I look.

Now, tell yourself that.