“The world is full of suffering. It is also filled with overcoming it.” -Helen Keller
Even though I am just 16, I’ve lived my short life with so much pressure, which I’ve finally realized comes from me.
During my life, I have lived through more challenges than most teenagers, and at times I didn’t think I could handle it.
My life has never been easy. My parents broke up when I was two years old because my father was unfaithful to my mother. It was hard. The rancor between two people can last decades. And now, 14 years later, they have overcome some of their differences, but the bitterness is still here, and so, the suffering too.
For two years in school starting when I was seven, I was battered by my schoolmates. Although I was very young I can remember how hard it was going to school knowing what was waiting to me. Most of the time it was a psychological abuse, and for this reason, it made the effect less obvious.
After this I spent one year totally alone because everyone disregarded me. They made fun of me all the time and that was hard to deal with. Luckily, I found the strength and courage to tell this to my parents.
Sometimes the hardest part of dealing with a difficult problem is acknowledging it. When you recognize your problem, you’ve taken a huge step.
I thought I was on the right track after this, but I still struggled and eventually started suffering with an eating disorder.
Sometimes, the things we do in life seem completely insignificant, and we don’t think about the consequences of our actions. That’s how it was for me—I thought I was limitless.
Like other kids my age, I didn’t want to be a conformist.
Still, I felt I wasn’t good enough, smart enough, beautiful enough, friendly enough, or hard-working enough. So I just didn’t care about myself. I wasn’t important.
So, what did I have then? Everything, in fact everything. But I was just too busy abusing myself to recognize it.
During the last year and still now, I am trying to overcome my disease. I am doing this by loving myself and letting others love me too, because if you don’t love yourself, you won’t be able to receive love from anyone else.
Self-loathing is an alley without an exit. We can’t keep going down that road—we need to turn around, show ourselves, and learn to love ourselves.
And I began loving myself with the help of Buddhism, when I found this amazing blog, and I realized that despite my struggles, I am full of love, and I am strong enough to get through the challenges I face.
If you’re also going through a hard time, remember:
Even when you think you are lost, hold on.
When you feel all alone, hold on.
If you love someone who doesn’t love you, hold on.
If you are ill and you cannot see the light, hold on.
If you have lost everything you care about, hold on.
If you feel you are less than anyone, hold on.
If you’re not sure you have any reason to live, hold on.
Hold on because we only lose in life if we don’t love ourselves and don’t appreciate how wonderful life can be on the other side of what we’re going through.
Likely, you will find situations in your life where you will have to do and face things that you probably don’t deserve. Everyone deals with unwanted troubles; how we deal with them makes the difference between each one of us.
I had to live awful things, but now, I am proud of the way I faced them. They have made the person who I am right now.
So whatever your problem, your suffering, or your situation, remember that everything passes; nothing stays.
You could be the person who you want to be, and your experiences will give you the necessary strength to live the life you dream about.
Photo by AlicePopkorn
Though I run this site, it is not mine. It's ours. It's not about me. It's about us. Your stories and your wisdom are just as meaningful as mine. 
What a lovely piece of writing and solid wisdom. Most people three times Valle’s age have a hard time with this lesson, it’s nice to see this coming from a strong and introspective young lady.
Ty….From the bottom of my heart, Ty. Your blog has given me that hope I need to just “hold on”….
My husb lost his job 2 wks ago…It’s been devastating in so many ways. And as of right now, everything I know is about to change…I’m holding on, trying to the best way I know how.
I’m so scared….But, your post tonight has helped me to be a little more hopeful.
I found this blog a few weeks ago…I googled “Changing my life for the better”. I’m so thankful and happy I found this blog…..it’s been so helpful to me, ESP when I feel so depressed.
I’m not the greatest “writer”….I admire the way people can express themselves through writing…
Ty so much to everyone who blogs, comments, etc….And Happy New Year. May we all find new beginnings and hope…Prosperity, health and love, too.
can’t believe this is comin frm a 16 yrs old!! wat an amazing soul!! god bless!
Thank you so much 😀
Hi Valle,
High school is not an easy period, but even so your story is particularly difficult.
I admire your ability to hold on despite your young age. It is this toughness and never say die attitude that will take you far in life.
If you ever need advice or if you want to know how things will turn out for you in advance, do drop me an email at my website. If you know what is going to happen beforehand and if you know the best way to manage the situation, you can get through life with less difficulty. Here, I will be more than willing to help you free of charge because I admire your spirit and I share your pain.
Thank you for sharing heartfelt article!
Irving the Vizier
I am inspired to hold on. Thank you Valle! So wise beyond your years.
Take good care.
You express yourself quite eloquently. Keep up the very insightful writing. You are very talented.
I love this! Reminds me of what my mom used to always say.. “This too shall pass.” I always remembered that saying whenever things got difficult.
Thank you so much, but it is not just me. Lori has helped me so much with my english.
Hi Irving,
I hope so, I usually tend to think that all the bad things pass before something so much better. That has helped me many times.
Well Irving, that’s absolutely true. But the difficulty in life is exactly there. But also the adventure.
Thank you for your help and sincerity.
Because when you pass something like this we usually feel all alone, and that’s terrible.
I’m here for you too.
Valle.
And I can’t believe that someone in this huge world could be suprised about myself 😀
You welcome, I’m so glad to help you.
I will, thanks.
😀
“remember that everything passes; nothing stays.” Thank you for the reminder. Patti
Valle – what a special heartfelt article. You are truly blessed to have realised these things so early in life – think of what wonderful things you can achieve and do for others with this wisdom. Many people spend years before they gain the wisdom to love themselves and some never learn it. May you go continue to be blessed and to bless others with your thoughts and wisdom. Love Michele
Just wonderful. I love your “Hold On” statements.
This is so inspiring. What an enlightened and wise young person. You are well on your way to such an amazing life with the foundation that you are building now. Thank you for sharing your story.
This is wonderful and bless you Valle for not only discovering this at such a young age but sharing your discovery. Peace be with you always!
Valle, thank you for your post, congratulations, It is really nice to see people this young talking with such maturity and wisdom.
Big hug from Colombia!
Tatiana
This is so beautiful. Keep writing and keep loving yourself 🙂
Hi Valle,
I am compassionate towards the difficult experiences that you have encountered during your life. You sound like in spite of the experiences you had that you are willing to go to a higher place of awareness. That is the only way to go.
Take care…
beautifully written article, had me crying by the end as i can relate to it particularly at a major transition in my life at the age of 20. you are definitely wise beyond your years and never stop loving yourself and neither will i 🙂
Love and light to you, Valle. It takes great courage and strength to openly share your truth this way – You’re a wise-old soul! Thank you for sharing your insight and for choosing to focus on love instead of becoming bitter, angry and resentful. You ARE beautiful!
Valle, you are truly inspiring. Take care. Gracias!
so well put and beautiful.
Wow. Much wisdom! You say you are 16, but you write like an OLD SOUL, thank you for sharing such beautiful perceptions about life. When we go through hard times it is difficult to remember that ‘this too, shall pass’. Enjoy each and every moment. Peace and Love to you.
Beautiful, wonderful, enlightening and inspiring. Who says that youth is wasted on the young?
I carried troubles from my childhood through to my adult life. But thankfully I am finally letting go of them and making the breakthrough to the life I deserve. However I am now 35, so you are actually a lucky girl in the sense that you are only 16. If I had overcome my difficulties at that age, I wouldn’t have lost all the good things I could have had in the past 19 years. It saddens me that I have lost all that time, but it’s never too late to make a fresh start. All the best to you in your future.
Thank you.
I did live it thank you my dear Mara <3
How do you even start to learn to love yourself?
This is extremely inspiring. Thank you. I have had trouble with an eating disorder, self loathing, body image, self esteem…you name since I was about 13. Then I was diagnosed with MS about a year ago, which made life seem so much worse. There have been times when the thought of going on has seemed unbearable but I have reminded myself that these horrible thoughts will pass. Although I have not yet learned to love myself, I take steps to do so ever day, and thank you for sharing your inspirational story and others on this site.
Valle – you really touched my heart with this article. Thank you for sharing !! I sure wish I knew what you know at your age … but then again, I would have missed the journey and that’s just not part of the plan, even when it’s not fun, it’s happening the way it’s supposed to. It’s taken me nearly 50 years to figure that out …
Please know that we’re here to love and support you in any way we can and you’re so on the right path ….
Sending you love and hugs …
Valle – what courage! I applaud you for looking at your life and seeing where you can make improvements. Keep on with your journey, and you will find your way. Many blessings to you.
Everyone has their good points. Look to the positive and start from there. If you are unhappy with something about yourself, only you have the power to change it. And if it’s something you cannot change, you have to learn to accept it. The real trick is in knowing what you can or cannot change.
I have to say I am mighty proud of you. I’m only a few years older than you, but I couldn’t even imagine going through what you’ve been through and having the strength and maturity to heal and rise from your struggles. I wish you the best of luck in life and I hope things really look up for you.
AMAZING insight for a young person. I found true value in these words and I am glad Valle chose to share these feelings with us. Keep up the “good work” of learning yourself all the time.
Beautifully written, inspiring, and very insightful, Valle! This was just what I needed to heart. Thank you, dear.
Thankyou valle. Valuing yourself is really important and knowing that your experiences help others. Keep writing and holding on. Sending you peace and blessings.
Totally amazing and very beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
I love you. You and I are one. I just love you.
Wow….I wish you lots of Love and Light on your Journey….Hold on, xx
I’m trying to imagine the number of people who read ”
Even though I am just 16, I’ve lived my short life with so much pressure, which I’ve finally realized comes from me. ” and sort of prejudged this article immediately…!
I liked it.
I usually tend to think the same thing too, Colette.
I thought I had lost 2 years, and for me, that was enough to keep mistreating myself.
But I realized that this was totally false. If I hadn’t lost those years, I wouldn’t have had to overcome hard things and, therefore, I wouln’t be the person I am right now.
Do you see? You can learn a lot of things about the experience we all pass.
Thank you for reading.
I really hope that all of us, one day, love ourselves as much as we deserve. I think that the real problem of the world was this one. We are always looking for the hapiness outsite.
Thank you so much. 🙂
Hola Tatiana! Qué bien que esto también lo lean personas de habla latina como yo.
Muchísimas gracias, un beso.
Peace be with you too, Maria. Thank you.
Hi Tammy,
I felt the same way when I found this blog too. I was passing a terrible moment with the food and it helped me more than I thought in these moment.
I really hope you find the strengh to hold on. I know it’s hard, and I know that a simple post won’t solve your problems, but it helps.
Happy New Year too, and I really wish you find the happiness.
Thank you.
Thanks for the inspiring article. May we have the courage to go through our difficulties. May all beings be well, happy and peaceful.
so beautiful and so true. I am going through something right now that I never thought I would ever have to endure but its here. On numerous times I have wanted to let go, but I thought it wasn’t my choice when I left this earth and realised that the pain and suffering will be worth it in the end, so I am holding on and waiting on a suprise!!! Good Luck with your journey, you sound like a very intelligent person and I am sure you too will become something you never expected xxx
Thank you so much for each one of you.
😀