On March 27, I wanted to go for a walk. Just before, my gf called to dump me. I felt like my world was ending. I still went for the walk and took this shot. I’m glad I was able to find beauty in such a dark moment and feel like it was the start of the rebirth into my best self.

I’m saying this now because I’m about to go on my 1st date since my breakup. Between then and now, I’ve put in countless hours of work on myself in many different forms.

There were so many times I didn’t feel like an actual person worthy of anything good and felt like the breakup was confirmation. I’ve had to work to rewire my brain. And while I know now my worth doesn’t lie in external things or people, I’m human and they can feel validating.

I guess what I’m trying to say is I’m really proud of myself, and looking back on the person who took that picture, I can’t believe how far I’ve come. The biggest growth can come in the darkest moments.

thank you *all* for the support. The date went great. It felt nice to feel like a person again. I just want everyone to know feeling the lows are part of being human, it's completely normal and that they don't last forever.