Annaliese,

Good people sometimes do dumb things. I know how upsetting it can be to get in trouble with the law, and I’m sorry that it is so painful for you right now. Consider that only good people feel guilty for getting in trouble… if it didn’t matter to you, if you were a crappy person, you wouldn’t care. That you care enough to fall so hard over it means your heart is strong and caring.

A MIP ticket is really not that big of a deal. In many states you can just attend a class or do community service without paying a fine. If you have to pay a fine, it will probably be less that $200. Its good to learn from our mistakes, but the fine or service will be enough… the guilt is unneeded.

Just breathe, this will pass! If your head won’t stop cycling, consider screaming into a pillow, flailing around on your bed, jump up and down… get your energy moving again. Its possible the energy in you just needs release, and doing it in a safe way would be much better than cutting yourself or punching yourself in the brain. Remember even the best people did dumb things, its ok! I swear!

With warmth,
Matt