Dear Orchid,

I know you feel so alone. I know you feel like the chaos and uncertainty surrounding you has paralyzed you. I know you feel stuck, unsure of how (or even whether) you will get past this season.

It's okay to not be okay. It's ok to be full of anxiety and fear. It's ok to have a bad day(s). It's ok to not be productive.

You are still the ambitious and creative person you are at your core. This trauma does not define you. You are not this loss.

One day you will be able to look back on this time and see your strength, see how resilient you became in the face of this. One day this story will become woven into the fabric of your life. One day you will turn around and be shockingly delighted to see the mountain you have climbed.

Until then, it's ok to take your time. Let this be your seed of hope.

Remember - your story is your strength,

Rachel