So... I have never written a blog post like this. Here’s a big life update for all of you.

The past few weeks have been hard to say the least. Anyone that knows me is familiar with my busy schedule. I work 40 hours a week at a daycare in town, I’m a member of the Student Education Association and a social media ambassador which includes updating Manchester’s Pinterest page and writing these blogs (not complaining, this is my favorite part!). But please do not think I am exaggerating when I say that I absolutely do not have free time and rarely ever practice self-care, although I am working on it.

In addition to my busy schedule, I now have doctors’ appointments because I was recently diagnosed with epilepsy.

Honestly, I did not see this one coming at all. I have always had random shakes, especially when I slept. My friends used to throw blankets on me because I looked cold. Needless to say, I wasn’t  “cold”, and my “shakes” got much worse.

 It’s tough and my mental health isn’t exactly top notch. It’s not the diagnosis that bothers me. I see my epilepsy as a reason that I have to take medicine, nothing more. Instead, I see the effect it has on my family and friends. I see the way my parents react when someone tells them I had yet another seizure. I see their faces after they drove two hours to get to the hospital. I see the worried looks my friends give me after I wake up. I am exhausted. Some days I literally want to quit everything. But that’s not me. I might be tired and running fumes, but I can’t quit.

No matter what’s going on in your life, don’t quit. We all have a mountain we have to climb at some point in our lives. And in those moments you have to surround yourself with support and encouragement. Whether it’s a bad grade on a test, a bad break-up, or heck, even being diagnosed with epilepsy, don’t quit. Because you are WAY TOO AWESOME.