Ananda

I am happy, for the first time in a long time.

I turned 18 on Sunday, and it made me realize how much has changed within the last year. I left the hell hole that was my school and started college, where I met some amazing people and made wonderful friends who will hopefully stay with me for a lifetime. I also stopped therapy and my mental health has improved dramatically; medication and the people I’ve surrounded myself with have truly helped with that. I’ve come out as both pansexual and as a demigirl to my friends and family, and in the process met and made a wonderful community of queer grrrls online and in real life. Everyone I’ve met has accepted me, which in turn, allowed me to accept myself. I can now say that I am proud of myself and my improvement without feeling guilty about it. Instead of looking at the year ahead with fear and dread, as I have done for the past few years, I can look ahead with excitement and wonder. ♦