A lot of time.

I spent a lot of time searching for affection in shallow spaces. I gave people bits of me, they didn't deserve and I let myself be hurt, because I thought that's what I deserved but once I let go of trying to solve puzzle pieces in places that did not fit, once I let go of all the hate I secretly had stored in the gashes that decorate my heart.

For your information, telling someone they can't be sad because others have it worse is like saying someone can't be happy because others have it better.