Dear future,

You don’t know me yet, so here is a word of warning.

I’ve been broken, more times than I care to count.

I’ve listened to harsh words, and I took them in, I let them stay.

I’ve been told I was worthless, and I believed it.

I’ve been through things that have crushed my spirit.

I allowed the abuses lain on me, because I thought I deserved them.

My dreams have been burned, my soul lost, and my heart strained and shattered.

A sea of monsters awaits you, if you dare.

And I hope you do.

The walls around me grow thicker by the day.

I fear that they will soon be too much.

I don’t wish to block out the world, but I can’t risk more pain.

So my dear future, I hope you find a way to navigate the obstacles before you, and find your way safely to the other side. It’s much calmer behind the trauma.