What I want you to know when life feels hard

by Carlene Lehmann, M.A., LMFT, LCDC-Intern


When you are feeling down and discouraged and all the voices in your head are turning against you. When you feel like you can’t get out of bed and you are all alone in this world. I want you to know that there is hope and there is support. You are not alone. No matter how strong the voices in your head are that are telling you different. You can make it through. Maybe you need to take a break and allow your body to rest a little.

Life can be challenging. We don’t choose many of the things that can happen to us- death, divorce, abuse, humiliation, and more. But if we are willing to reach out and ask for help. To make ourselves vulnerable. We often find that others are willing to open up and share their hurts and failures too. No this is not everyone. Some people are heavily guarded and it feels too scary to let their walls down. But others are willing to be open and honest. Find those people. The ones you can be real with, connect with, and who love you for you. They see the courage it takes to express what is really going on and not sugar coat it. Those people exist. It may take some time to find them, but the effort is worth it.


Reach out. We are a resource for support as well. A place you can feel safe to be yourself that is supportive and compassionate. That knows the hurts life can bring and the strength that it can take to carry on.

You can do it. I believe in you. You are worth the effort. You are important.

You can do it. I believe in you. You are worth the effort. You are important. Find the gifts you have that only you can bring to this world. What makes you come alive? What kind of life do you really want? You can create it one step at a time.


Carlene Lehmann, M.A., LMFT, LCDC-Intern is a Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor-Intern at Relationships Matter Austin in Austin, Texas. Carlene provides a safe environment where you can open up about the pain and struggle. You don’t have to carry it alone. To schedule your appointment with Carlene, you can reach her at (512) 994-0432 or request an appointment with her on the Relationships Matter Austin Scheduling Page.