I wrote this song last year and that was one of the hardest years of my life.
I felt stuck in this place
that I could not get out of for a while
and I felt like I had no control over my life.
I just needed to get it out. You know- I needed the conversation
because I couldn't take it in my body anymore.
Like I couldn't take the feeling of anxiety circling in my chest.
I couldn't take that anymore or I was gonna explode. That's how I felt.
No one understood it. No one around me understood it.
Then one day my manager called me and he said,
"I just talked to a friend for a really long time and I now understand what you're going through
and I'm here for you if you need me." And that shifted everything for me.
Just knowing that one person on my team understood.
I think the main focus with people with anxiety and depression is
speaking out about it. That's how I got out of it.
Cuz if I would have just kept it to myself I would have never gotten the help that I needed.
Go to talk to your doctor, go to talk to your counselor at school,
talk to a friend, family member or somebody. Go to an adult.
Speak up louder. Cuz once you do you're gonna find help.
And the people that aren't suffering- just open your ears a little bit more.
'Are you ok? Is anything going on you wanna talk about? I'm here for you. I love you.'
Let them know that they're supported. That they can come to you and that you are that person for them.
I mean sometimes I don't know how to solve the problem. I'm only 19.
I don't know how to solve a problem. I'm a baby.
But if somebody's struggling emotionally I can come and help you.
And so I feel like that's my strength, you know.
Like I'm not gonna be able to ace a math test
but I can definitely help someone out who's hurting or
feeling the same emotions as me, you know?
I think I missed so many happy moments last year.
And I'm definitely appreciating life more.
I just think it's important to live your life happily while you're on this earth.
You only get one shot at it.
For ways to start the conversation, check out SeizeTheAwkward.org.