Don't assume other people are doing well, just because they are putting up a brave face for you, or posting normal, cheery things on social media. They may be absolutely miserable inside. Social media personas are not people. They are manufactured.

And if you're feeling miserable, please don't be so hard on yourself, OK? You may be lucky. You may know that you are privileged. But don't let anyone (including yourself) shame you into thinking you are fine. Don't ignore the warning signs. It is fine to take care of yourself.

If you need to bake, bake. If you need to write, write. If you need to cry, cry. Your pain is real.

Hold on, friends. Hold on.

"If you feel like you're alone. No, no, no, you're not alone..."

We can only know someone else's pain, if it is shared with us. And we can't tell someone else how to feel.

Feelings can't be brushed aside. They must be acknowledged.

(I fall into the trap, even with myself. I tell myself I should be right because I'm better off than most.)