I know that this is mainly a lifestyle and beauty blog, because I like to write about those kinds of things, but in a time like this it seems so trivial and materialistic. Today is a day I'd write up a normal post of makeup or outfits or something along those lines, but I really wasn't feeling up to it. 

Over the weekend, a truly awful tragedy struck my family. A relative died of depression. Many people die of depression, because not many people take it too seriously. And it is a serious problem. 

Today I want to tell everyone that if you are feeling depressed and are struggling with it, you are not alone. Please go talk to someone, a parent or sibling or very close friend. But if you do not want to feel vulnerable in front of a loved one, there are many hotlines you can reach.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-(800)-273-8255

Transgender Lifeline: (877)-330-6366

The Trevor Project: (866)-488-7386

24 Hour Crisis Hotline: (212)-673-3000

Please reach out to someone if you are feeling any suicidal thoughts or need support. 

I wanted to avoid clichés, but please listen when I say that it gets better. Life moves on. Oh my god can life get good! Life is full of surprises and miracles and laughter and joy and love and you don't want to miss any of it. You will move on. It seems so awful now but if you end it now you will never know what your future could have held and how many people actually care about you. If you need someone, call them. Tell them. 

And if you know someone who battles with depression, please let them know that they are not alone. It doesn't take much to let someone know that you love them and that you're there for them, whether you are sitting on the phone with them, rubbing their back, or listening to them. 

As a person who has battled depression and anxiety, here is a list of books and songs that have helped me when I've been at my lowest.

If You Feel Too Much by Jamie Tworkowski (Founder of To Write Love On Her Arms)

Lifeline by Papa Roach (It's also a really good song with really meaningful lyrics)

Humans of New York by Brandon Stanton (I really love reading other people's stories and getting to see people are real, raw human beings or are usually no different than me)

14,000 Things To Be Happy About by Barbara Ann Kipfer (Some of these will just make you smile, and the continuation of the list makes you calmer) 

Anthem Part 2 by Blink 182 

Landslide by Fleetwood Mac 

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer (Heavy boots is one of my favorite phrases)

Thank you.