I Hope You Stay

I hope you stay.

This is a new one for us. Not the sentiment, far from it, but the choice, as an organization, to say “I” rather than “we.” The reason behind that choice is pretty simple: “We” have really always been individuals, talking to you (an individual). And each of us would say this to you person-to-person if we could.

There’s Alex, who makes some of the designs you wear. There’s Lindsay, who steers the small but mighty ship. There’s Andrea, who sends out your order. There’s Kayla, who writes words that make you feel seen and known. There’s Chad, who is there to greet you face to face at a music festival. And all the other 24 people who make up TWLOHA genuinely hope that you make the choice to stay.

Yes, we as a whole hope you stay, too. But there’s something that can’t be replaced when it comes to a one-on-one exchange. To say that I, as a person, hold hope for your singular existence to continue, to not end short or abruptly or tragically. I hold hope for you to find healing, to go to bed not dreading the start of another day, to keep breathing and loving and reading and traveling and growing and feeling and on and on.

There is undoubtedly someone who hopes that you stay. Your sister. Your neighbor. Your friend. Your teacher. Your pet. Your co-worker. Your grandpa. Your child. Your cousin. Your therapist. Your mom.

Please know this isn’t a plea with the goal of laying the burden of staying and enduring hardship on your mind and heart. This is a gentle and steady hope for softness to find you. For light to quietly pierce the dark of whatever you’re carrying right now. It’s not a request to push and fight and exhaust your soul. It’s a heart-to-heart truth that believes in compassion and empathy, connection and change, healing and inner peace.

We, as a team and as people who make up the whole, know in many varying forms how hard it can be to stay and to hold hope within those seasons of grief, despair, and heaviness. You might be sleeping more than you’re awake. You might be spiraling and living in your head instead of resting. You might be wanting to escape from all and any of that discomfort. But there’s a good chance what you’re really longing for is a reprieve from noise, for maybe even a moment of joy or wholeness that relieves the ache. We see you and we get it. We’ve been in a similar space, and we’ve seen what happens when you choose to stay and keep holding on to hope.

So if you’re finding it hard right now to find a reason to stay, even just for another day or moment, here are 50 reasons to choose from:

1. Sunsets to see 2. New friends 3. Reading really good books 4. Going on adventures 5. Believing in something bigger 6. You are not a burden 7. New places to explore 8. Fresh air 9. Making bucket lists 10. Listening to new music 11. Eating your favorite meal 12. Days of rest 13. Smiles from babies 14. Scars fading 15. Drives with the windows down 16. Hope being defiant 17. Discovering something new 18. Your pain isn’t your whole story 19. Practicing art 20. The sun on your face 21. Daring to think outside the box 22. Visiting a favorite place 23. Helping someone 24. Healing 25. There is still more love out there 26. Listening to a good album 27. Kisses from puppies 28. The beauty in your name 29. Being brave 30. Nostalgia 31. Who you are is always evolving 32. Long weekends 33. Falling snow 34. Pillow talks 35. Your absence would be felt 36. This is just a season 37. Local coffee shops and bookstores 38. Watching something grow and bloom 39. Cuddling with an animal 40. Feeling cozy and safe 41. Laughing until your face hurts 42. The chance for things to change 43. Warm days with a cool breeze 44. Dreams to fight for 45. Feeling awed 46. Trying something different 47. Hitting a new milestone 48. Inspiring movies 49. Looking at the stars 50. YOUR STORY IS IMPORTANT.

Stay to find your reason. We really do need you here.

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September is Suicide Prevention Month. Every 40 seconds, we lose someone to suicide. Your voice can help someone stay. Whether you’ve struggled with thoughts of suicide, have lost someone, or simply care—TWLOHA is inviting you to take actions that can provide hope for someone facing their darkest day.

This year’s Suicide Prevention Campaign is in full swing, and there are so many ways you can take action from wherever you are. Your support can change so much. Our goal, with your invaluable help, is to raise $250,000 by September 30th so that we are able to fund 2,800 hours of therapy for people who can’t otherwise afford care. We’ll also be able to support 26,000 searches through our FIND HELP Tool—connecting individuals to local, affordable mental health services, and we’ll be able to make space for 38 weeks of digital peer support, giving people a space to feel seen, heard, and not alone.

To learn more, start a fundraiser, or donate what you can, we invite you to visit twloha.com/suicideprevention.

For those struggling, you’re not in this alone. There are people who can and want to help. For free mental health resources, please go to  twloha.com/stay. If you need immediate help, you can call 988 or text TWLOHA to 741741.