Kyleigh Leist
Marketing Director
Thirteen years ago, I was convinced the world would be better without me. I reached a breaking point where the weight of life felt unbearable, and hope seemed like a distant memory. In that suffocating darkness, I made a choice I never thought I'd survive to look back on. But somehow, I did survive. And in the years that followed, I’ve uncovered profound truths—truths that didn’t just keep me alive, but ignited a reason to live fully, embracing life with all its mess and meaning.
Here are 13 things I’ve learned since my first attempt.
1. I am meant to be here, even if I don’t always understand why.
I may not know what my purpose fully is yet, but the fact that I’m still here means there’s a reason. I’m discovering it, day by day, moment by moment.
2. I deserve to take up space.
For so long, I felt like a burden. I thought the world would be better off without me. But I’ve learned that I am not a burden—I am human. And I have just as much right to exist as anyone else.
3. Healing is not linear.
There are days I feel invincible and days I’m back in the same dark place. Healing is messy, but I’ve realized that every step forward, even the smallest, is progress.
4. It’s okay not to have everything figured out.
I used to believe that if I didn’t have all the answers, I was failing. Now I see that life is about growth and learning, and I don’t need to have it all together to be worthy of love and happiness.
5. My pain does not define me.
For so long, I let my struggles be my identity. I thought I was broken beyond repair. But my pain is just one part of my story—not the whole of who I am.
6. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
It took me years to understand this. Vulnerability was terrifying. But now I know that asking for support when I need it has been one of the most courageous things I’ve ever done.
7. I can survive more than I ever thought possible.
There were moments I didn’t think I’d make it through the night. Yet, here I am, thirteen years later. I am stronger than I realized, and I will keep going.
8. Not everyone will understand, and that’s okay.
Some people won’t know how to respond to mental health struggles. But I’ve learned that my worth isn’t tied to others’ understanding. What matters is that I understand my own journey.
9. It’s okay to let go of the past.
The guilt, the shame, the regret—I've held onto it for too long. I’ve learned that forgiving myself is the key to moving forward and finding peace.
10. There is beauty in small victories.
Some days, getting out of bed is a win. Other days, it’s laughing with a friend or finishing a task. I’ve learned to celebrate the small things because they are evidence of growth.
11. I am not alone in this.
It’s easy to feel isolated in pain, but I’ve discovered that so many people are quietly fighting their own battles. There is a silent, powerful community of survivors, and we are never as alone as we think.
12. Life is worth fighting for.
There have been moments where I doubted this, but with every year, I’ve come to realize that even in its hardest times, life has moments of joy, connection, and love that make the fight worth it.
13. I have more to give, and more to receive, than I ever imagined.
I may have once believed that my story didn’t matter, but now I see how wrong I was. I’ve learned that by simply being here, I can touch lives—just as others have touched mine.
Thirteen years ago, the darkness consumed everything—I couldn’t see a way out. But today, I’ve learned that even in the hardest moments, there is light, even if it’s hidden. I don’t have all the answers, but I know one truth: I’m still here, and that is enough.
To anyone who’s ever felt like they couldn’t take another step—I see you. You are not alone, and your story is worth telling. We’re here for a reason, and together, we will rise, we will keep fighting, and we will keep going.
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