I haven't always wanted to be here, and I'm grateful I'm here now. It can happen, even when it feels like it never will.

I can't remember not feeling depressed. Age 11? Sad. Age 22? Trying but sad. Age 33? Getting worse before it got better. Strangers along the way, online and in person, have made the difference between sadness that waxed or sadness that waned.

It sure feels like there is an isolation and loneliness epidemic. But we can fix that. We can find one another. We can write the rules. We can hold each other (and ourselves) accountable.

So let's be weird. Let's invite novelty. But most importantly...

LET'S KEEP BEING HERE, OK??