If any part of this conversation feels familiar, hear this clearly: you are not broken. And you are not alone. Depression. Anxiety. Substance use. They can distort the way you see yourself. They can whisper that this is just “who you are” or convince you that your future is small, limited, or hopeless. But those thoughts are symptoms, not truths.
These struggles are real. And they are treatable.
With the right support, the right tools, and a willingness to take one step at a time, change is possible. Clarity can return. Strength can rebuild. A different future can take shape.
This is not the end of your story.