Thank you

This weekend, I attended Purple Day, and even with a few difficult moments, I’m genuinely proud of how I showed up. Recently, I’ve been feeling extremely unmotivated. Lately, keeping up with such a demanding schedule has been exhausting, and there have been moments when it felt like nobody cared about what I have to say or the work I put in, but I’m trying not to give up.

Even on days when it feels like nobody cares about what I do or say, Project T.E.E.N. reminds me that I’m not doing this for recognition, I’m making a REAL difference for other teens who need it. I never imagined Project T.E.E.N. would grow this far. I started it back in high school simply because I wanted to make a difference, and now it’s bigger than I ever could have imagined. I’m so grateful, because truly nothing makes me happier than serving this community. But as the project grows and new opportunities arise, I sometimes get scared or nervous I wonder if I deserve this, or if I’m doing enough.

I take every opportunity that comes my way, no matter what, and nothing makes me more grateful than when people recognize the effort I put in. But I want to be clear, I never do any of this for recognition, praise, or followers. What truly keeps me going are the messages I receive from teens who get a care package, or from parents who tell me that I’ve made a difference in their child’s life. That’s what fuels me. I’ve never received a cent from any of the work I do, and I don’t need to, seeing the impact of this project is worth everything.

Every time I hear from a teen who felt seen because of a care package, or a parent who says I’ve made a difference, it reminds me why I started this in the first place. Those messages stick with me, long after the busy days and exhausting schedules. They’re proof that even the smallest gestures can have a huge impact. And while I sometimes question myself or feel overwhelmed, moments like these reassure me that showing up matters, more than I ever could have imagined when I first started.

Through this blog post, I just want to say thank you, to everyone who’s supported Project T.E.E.N., sent kind words, or even just believed in what we’re doing. None of this would be possible without you, and honestly, your support is what keeps me going. I’m so grateful to be able to do this, and I hope together we can keep making a difference for teens who really need it.

I also want to give a huge thank you to my mom!! Thank you for always standing up for me when I feel like giving up. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without her, and I’m so grateful for her support, love, and encouragement every single day (even when I’m being a super annoying teenager). I LOVE YOU POOKIE

I know this blog got a little deep, sorry for dumping all the feelings on you all! I promised I’d keep it real when I started blogging again, but don’t worry, I’ve got a fun, lighthearted post coming later this week to make up for it :)

xoxo,

sofi <3