I may not be able to live on my own until my mid twenties. I may never be able to have a full time job. I may not function the same as everyone else, but that’s okay. 

I’ve made it this far. I’ve survived. My life may look a bit different, I may have to face different struggles, but that’s okay. I don’t have to be like everyone else. I don’t have to hit the same milestones everyone else does. 

I got my driver’s license, I’m looking after my pets full-time, I make all my own food and do my own laundry, I look after my health and am constantly working on improving myself. 

I went from a shower once a month to multiple times a week. I went from only being able to leave the house once every few months to leaving multiple times a week (even if that’s just for a short drive to the post office). 

Maybe I’m 6-7 years behind in my education. Maybe I still need people to get me groceries and help me clean my house. Maybe I need a little extra help. Maybe I’m not like everyone else. But I’m improving and I’m finding what makes me happy and that is all that matters. 

I’m carving out a bit of joy and comfort in my life through slow, hard work. I’m successful and capable, even if that success and capability isn’t the same as others. 

I do not need to measure my happiness and my success by the standards set by people who do not go through what I do on a daily basis.