User blog comment:MightyUke416/Bell: Let's Talk Day 2020 - You're Undefeated/@comment-26098956-20200129142840

Don't quite have a story (as I'm not quite in the place to put everything into words) but thank you for this. Even if many people are joining the battle to fight the stigma, I find it fitting that we're talking about it in a Survivor forum. In fact, Survivor has become one of my motivations in overcoming my own struggles.

To say the least, I've dealt with my own fair share of social anxiety, and what helped me understand social dynamics and social politics was Survivor. Even if my world was relatively small (I came from a small private school and was in the same social circle for a large portion of my school life), I found it difficult to relate to and form meaningful connections with others. I could go on about how horrible school was, but Survivor saved me. I saw how anyone, be it the Cirie Fieldses or the John Cochrans, could overcome their own inhibitions and doubts and survive. I saw how people like the Aitu Four or the Matsing tribe, even in situations where the odds were against them, rose to the occasion and kept on fighting. I saw how important it was to actually listen – to be more aware not only mentally, but more so emotionally.

Don't know if that made sense (I could go off another day, but that's not quite the avenue for that), but I guess the point is that regardless of whether your problems are as big or small, life-changing or meaningless, you are a Survivor in your own right. And nobody can invalidate that. Also, I can't stress the importance of reaching out. It truly does open so much doors. You don't have to be at a certain level of openness, because however you express yourself is purely you. Doesn't make it bad; it's just how it is sometimes. Your voice matters and you have such great thoughts! Levels of openness is so vague and it's not a matter of someone being more open than another: it's just how your person is. So all in due time. And I guess it's hard to tell others (coming from someone that hasn't spoken up here, hi, hello) but don't worry about talking to people. It's kind of how it works I guess, I mean, I don't know, I still suck at it. But you won't know unless you'll try hehe. Things are gonna happen but you are gonna get past it – all you gotta do is talk.

Anyways, in the spirit of sending related songs, here's one that I'm rather fond of. Do note that there's some Christian allusions and undertones, but looking at it in a nonsectarian point of view, it just seems to validate that regardless of my fuck-ups and my shortcomings, there is still some sense of acceptance and love that I – and you – have. And if you're a former (or maybe even still are) emo kid, here's another emo favorite. As corny and as cheesy as it sounds, you can and you will get through whatever you're facing.

Happy Bell Day, SFW!