This is a warning for all cynical people out there: Here are some things that may be affirming.

We all make mistakes. (In fact, some of us do a lot of dumb things.) But it is rare to find a person motivated by evil. Hearing people’s stories means witnessing struggle and strength.

You should know your own story. You should see your strengths and struggles. Yet many of us are more disconnected from ourselves than what is healthy. That’s no accident. There are systems in this world designed to create disconnection: patriarchy, supremacy, poverty, etc.

However, the hard truth is that it’s on us to see and fight those systems. And it’s on you to discover and love yourself.

Life can be exhausting. People may use substances as a way to escape. Some substances whisper escape; others scream it. And at first, drugs can be an escape. There is nothing unusual about wanting relief from stress, pain, boredom, or difficult emotions.

But misuse is different. Misuse happens when escape becomes the goal rather than an occasional experience. It happens when substances become the primary way of coping, avoiding, numbing, or getting through life. What begins as an escape can slowly become a trap.

Misuse recreates the systems and cycles that disconnect people from themselves and others. Be aware of signs of misuse. Do the work of knowing yourself. You are worth it.