My stomach flipped every time someone would say,
“Things can’t be that bad” or
“It can always be worse.”
It’s like throwing salt on an open wound,
and invalidating how I feel.
Depression.
It’s not just about someone feelings sad.
And for many, it’s not perspective
that we need.
It’s empathy
and understanding.

My feelings are Valid.

Illustration by: Fatima Seehar
Copyright 2019 Valerie Sanchez