A controversial TV series that runs over multiple serious life topics such as depression, suicide, sexual assault, rape and more.
It is incredibly dark, scary and just not to some people’s taste, and I get that by all means.
However, I truly believe it has saved my life. I am not just saying that.
Let’s go to Summer 2016 – we were camping in France. I was in a dark place well before that holiday. Around July time – I was receiving counselling at school. That school also saved me. I would not be here today without them. Getting back to the topic, the holiday was great itself; like my parents put in so so much effort to make it nice for everyone.
I can’t remember whether I picked up a book from school, or if it was on my Kindle. It was called 13 Reasons Why. I guess I picked it up because it was related to how I was feeling, and what I was thinking of doing.
I was suicical, depressed and just a fucking mess.
Reading that book was just amazing. Words cannot describe that feeling… Like I could just see the street. I could see Monet. I could see Jessica, Hannah and even Clay. I saw myself as Clay.
How they portrayed 13 reasons why in the book gave me understanding and made me realise I wasn’t alone. People have felt it before, and it was on paper.
How Hannah Baker felt, what she went through was displayed through words, replicating onto me.
Reading that book in the car, driving down a typical french residential road, like what you see on the TV Series. I have memories of that; I was reading about Justin, possibly where he realised Bryce had raped his girlfriend, Jessica.
How has my life been affected by 13 Reasons Why?
It’s simply been a lifeline, it’s made me realise that you just have to move on with life. Life can hurt, moments in life can really hurt but that isn’t the end.
I will never forget how this TV series made me feel, and even better – the way reading the book made me feel, the way I was so immersed. And what it taught me about life.
You may feel I am rambling, I truly am – but without the book, I truly believe I wouldn’t be here today.
If I didn’t read this book, I believe I would have just moved onto some crappy book and then gave up and drowned myself.
I have had so many good memories in life that I associate reading this book. Summer 2016 is going to be one forever.
Don’t forget staying up until 1AM watching 13 Reasons Why.
Watching Clay having a breakdown and wanting to kill himself.
Watching Tony support Clay at his own expense.
With or without this book, I would have saw hope. But I would never be where I am today.