Ok so its Valentine's Day, and I actually have a boyfriend, and he's great, and I love him, and he makes me happy, but there's just something inside of me that still doesn't feel right. Ya know that feeling? Like, everything should be right, I have the great boyfriend, I have the good grades, a great future ahead of me, a good family, and I just feel empty. I feel like I'm missing something, and I just can't find it. I'm cutting, and at the same time I'm so ashamed, becuase I have such a good life, but I'm just NOT HAPPY. I'm fighting with my best friend of six years over so much stuff that has built up from me keeping secrets from everyone about the cutting and the depression, but I can't just go out and say 'hey I'm cutting myself.' Becuase she wouldn't understand. I support TWLOHA, and it has really helped me in some ways, but I can't openly support them, becuase then everyone would know, and I just needed to vent, becasue I am so sick of being the invisible girl! I'm sick of being the smart girl that no one cares about, the girl that is just a random person trying to make it through the day. I just want that thing that's missing inside of me to be filled. Hope is hard to have when day by day, it passes you by....

Originally Posted by Savvysandhu

To, Jamie

I wrote an essay about To Write Love On Her Arms and how much it means to me a few years ago for my English coursework and I had to stand up in front of the class and talk about it after I had finished talking a girl in my class said "You're beautiful, don't ever let anyone bring you down" to me I just felt so good at that point.

I bought the "Love is the Movement" hoodie at the end of 2010 and whenever I feel depressed about something I wear that hoodie and I get this feeling of relief like things are going to get better.

Thank you so much for everything, your blog posts and your tweets always bring a smile to my face.

Savvy

thanks for your kind words : )

Originally Posted by Limesandlove

I really thought this was going to be a vid chat but this is cool.

Sorry it's not. We're looking forward to any questions you may have :)

Will you guys be visiting South or North Carolina, anytime soon? :)

Originally Posted by lp670sv

no big, i generally just post jokes to try and cheer people up. stick around, maybe something I say will make you laugh eventually haha

thanks sometimes the best thing to do is laugh despite the pain

It takes a lot to overcome cutting and even more to take the first step and get help. I had done it for 2 years and have been clean for 2. I know the struggle, and if you relapse that DOES NOT make you a bad person or anything like that. You will one day experience the joy of being free from the habit, hiding your cuts and lying to everyone. I personally hope you find that joy to share with us all again next year.

I don't know how many staff members here are interns, but generally speaking, are the interns broken people who are healing? I feel like anyone who supports TWLOHA has either experienced these issues first-hand or stood by a close friend or family member as they battled these issues. I'm just curious =] Everyone has a story that deserves to be told!

Hi TWLOHA staff! I just wanted to take this wonderful opportunity to say THANK YOU. The influence TWLOHA has had on my life - especially in the past year when things have been especially difficult - is immeasurable. You guys give me SO MUCH hope and relief that I am not alone. Thank you so very much. I wish I had the time to start a UChapter here at the University of Delaware to give back but I'm a nursing student with so much on my plate already...if only there were more than 24 hours in a day! I really wish we had a chapter here!

Originally Posted by VenomX

You are worth it, because you are amazing. We are all here for you, no matter what :)

Thank you so much for this.

Originally Posted by mellyonline

twloha is the only actual help i have. i bought all of this twloha merchandise and when i got it, my mom asked me what it was. so i told her, but when i finished, she just kind of snorted, and said in the most sarcastic manner: "do you need help or something?" it actually broke my heart that she wasn't taking something like this seriously. that was the day i stopped actually talking to her about things that matter.

thats horrible! at least you know what's up :D

Originally Posted by TWLOHAjamie

we believe in counseling and community as the best places to start in terms of dealing with depression. rob bell says "everything is spiritual" and i like that, the idea that faith is simply the lens we see the world through. so i don't think you have to separate it. i believe in wisdom and real-life tools - things like counseling and community and anti-depressants. all of those things have helped me in my own life. thanks for the kind words.

you mention counseling and community and anti-depressants. how do you see people who who fight using them? I feel like counseling, for me personally, is a way of giving in. a way to invite people in when they dont really have a right. Ive tried before and it just wasnt a safe place for me. and meds are good, but dont work just on their own, you know? without the additional help they just kind of numb things. which isnt fixing anything. I love what you guys work and fight so hard for. your words have a way of giving voice to things usually forced to stay quite. but I cant help but feel like a hypocrite sometimes.

Originally Posted by Trinicox06

No has replied to me :( erg

reply reply reply! =]

Every person on here is a living story that matters.
You matter.
Your pain, your scars, your hurt matters.
Your heart matters.
No one else can live your story.
We will not give up.
Dare to believe that better days are ahead
Dare to believe that nightmares can turn into dreams
Dare to believe that Love is real and that you are loved

if anyone needs a funny visual to brighten their day, I am 6'1'' 287 lbs and got a netbook today. this is the technological equivalent of "Fat man in a little coat." I look ridiculous holding this thing.

Originally Posted by MelBelen

Hi people!

this is the third time that i participate! 1st year i had a friend anorexic and she cut herself and I was the first person to know! now she's fine!

the second year i was sad 'cause my aunt had cancer and i know that my father was cheatting to my mom and my ex boyfriend was an idiot. right now my aunt is fine! and twloha helps me to deal with my father's secret and I forgot my ex boyfriend!

things get better

i love twloha thanks for everything:)
you're not alone!


i'm sorry for my english, i'm from south america:)

Thanks for coming back again this year!