(Long description)

I have a friend. She’s been my friend since fifth grade. I'm twelfth grade now.

I noticed that as high school progressed, we haven't been talking to each other much. At first I thought it was because we didn't have any classes together like we used to back then. But then I realized that she changed as a person. She seemed quieter, more reclusive, less willing to stay for even small talk.

I was naive enough to not recognize that her behavior is exactly mirroring mine. We went through the same struggles.

Two days ago, she texted me for the first time in years with some funny images of us from the past that she found while cleaning out her laptop. After some good laughs, we started to catch up.

Now, I know that this comic series suggests otherwise, but I'm feeling way better than I did two years ago. My underclassmen years were full of depression, but I've gotten better. I'm depressed less often, I learned to accept that it's okay to not be socially active, and overall I'm happier.

My friend, on the other hand, has not been doing so well. She went through the same decline as I did in her underclassmen years, but the difference is that she stayed down there. Academics and college only made it tougher for her. She’s gotten completely tired of people.

We actually went through the same life events... but we went through them alone, not together.

Talking with her reminded me that everyone goes through their struggles. Some of them are very similar to mine. And I won't be able to help everyone, but what I can do is always be there to support them. Expect nothing in return. Be nice to people because I never know what they are going through.

It’s easy to think that my life is the most miserable, but that is a selfish way of thinking.

And FireAlpaca's new 3D perspective tool is a lifesaver.