it’s been about 11 months since i last posted an update outside of writing replies to this wonderful community. ever since the marvelous Micro, e.thehuman, and danjo supported me through a really tough time on my last post, i’ve become a support wall action team (swat) leader with the most amazing, compassionate, and hilarious group of people (#swat3forever). i admit that i’ve slipped a couple times into depressive, anxious, or suicidal thought patterns in the past year but quickly picked myself back up because of this community and the lessons i’ve learned here. thank you all for showing me how much strength us humans have to persevere, know our worth, and keep walking forward to a better future.
i feel proud where i’m at in my job (my clients are so nice to me and i’m also taking leaps to learn a brand new program!), i’m happy with the friends i surround myself with, i’m excited to spend time with my family, i empower myself to keep going, and i am so friggin’ overjoyed by the opportunity to be able to spread support every monday night with my sweet swat3. life has truly changed from this time last year and i hope, if you’re reading this, you can know that things can get better. to think… around this time last year, i could have succumbed to some dark thoughts… and i’m sitting here thinking how i’m so thankful i didn’t.
bad times will surely come, hard obstacles to overcome will no doubt be in my path… but i know that if i can overcome all that i have to this point, i can get through anything. i’m about to see one of my best friends (who honestly gives me the most strength to keep going) in 3 weeks to celebrate my bday… i’m just so thankful i stuck around to be able to see her and feel all the emotions life has to offer, good or bad. isn’t that (the good and bad) what makes life interesting tho?
this post was healing to write, like i’m about to cry? but i just want you, the one reading this, to know that things do get better. sure, things will happen that will make you go, “twix, things suck right now,” but it’s the people and the little things that will keep you going, to see those bright spots. you can get through anything, especially after everything you’ve previously conquered in your life. i’m so proud of this community, and to be a part of it and to lead swat3.
so that’s my yearly(?) forum post on how things are going. and to all that have helped me in the HS community get here (especially my whole swat3 + micro + danjo), thank you for giving me the hope and courage to still be here. thank you all for the strength and believing in me, i’m excited for a legendary 2022 ahead 
thank you for reading and hey, if you read this, just know i truly believe in you, value you, and care for you. you got this, my friend!
your friend,
twix
I’m grateful as well that you didn’t succumb and that the awesome people of this community were here for you. They are all wonderful aren’t they? Much love! 
gosh…. where do i even start to say how much of an impact you’ve made on my life and how this kind message made me smile. and all the koala puns get infinite claps from me! thank you though, micro, for picking me up last year when i was convinced my time was up. sincerely, you are saving lives like mine through all your hard work here, don’t you dare forget it because i sure as hell won’t!