Dear Nico,

Every experience is unique, every feeling is unique. I can never say that I one hundred percent understand how you feel, but I do have a good understanding of where you’re coming from. The things you say about an abusive father, which I also had, resulted into having low self-esteem, constantly looking for love and being needy while dating. My best friend calls me self-destructive when it comes to relationships. I always, always seem to choose the ones that don’t last and hurts me like crazy.

I’ve thought about suicide too, but I probably won’t do it because I realized after all the tough things I’ve been through I know I can get out of it again. Pain is just a snapshot in life. It will feel like it’ll never go away, ever, but it does. It fades. The battle wound may never heal fully and leave a scar, but a scar is okay. It shows courage and determination.

Don’t be scared to fail. Don’t forget about how you felt before you talked to your sister. Don’t let the negative feelings conquer your positive ones. Negative feelings are always stronger than the positive ones, but you can mentally overcome them by repeating these words to yourself.

Falling is okay, if you get up again. Fall six times, stand up seven times. Only by failing you’ll receive succes. Look at Steve Jobs, he had failed many times before reaching the top. Look at Michael Jordan, they told him he shouldn’t play basketbal because he just sucked and look at him now. Look at Walt Disney, people told him he wasn’t creative enough. So don’t be scared for this.

As for your abusive father. It’s just not right. Don’t let him get the best of you. Be strong, try it. It’s better to regret what you’ve done than regretting what you haven’t done. If it doesn’t work out, just leave. Go to your friends. You shouldn’t feel jailed, there are always more routes to your destination.

I hope this helps and hope you’ll keep us updated.