We’ve all got to do our part. | Source: Shutterstock

A volunteer team called Occupy Sandy has set up an Amazon gift registry wishlist for stuff people who’ve been through the worst (a lot of whom are homeless right now) really need. If you can spare a little extra cash (and I know a lot of you can if you really think about it), please check it out and send something they’ve requested. It’ll be sent directly to a distribution center in New Jersey and into the hands of girls, guys, moms, and dads to make their lives a little bit better.

I’ve already donated and volunteered in person–but I’d love knowing that our Gurl.com community was joining together to make a difference. Here are five things you could give that would make a big difference:

* Love animals? A lot of hurricane victims have dogs and cats who’ve been going hungry since the storm–a big bag of IAMS cat food is only $13. That’s like giving up one trip to the movies. No big deal to you, a huge deal to those cats!

* Think you’d go crazy after just one week without peanut butter? Send three giant jars to some hungry and cold people for just pennies less than $20. That’s like one week without your daily Starbucks.

* Do you get cold really easily? So do I, but think about all those people still living without heat or hot water, even as the temperature drops here in New York. Help out by sending a women’s zip up jacket by Columbia for $35. Sure, you could buy two new albums on iTunes with that, but you know this is more important.

* If you can’t imagine not being able to shower, send eight bars of Dove soap. It’ll cost you less than $18 (about the same as a dress at Forever 21), and will help make Sandy survivors feel a little bit more optimistic about life.

* Little kids were affected by this storm, too, and a lot of them are pretty freaked out. Send them a comforting story in the form of Corduroy for less than $7. That’s the equivalent of one lipstick from the drug store. I know you can do it, girl!

From batteries to winter coats, you (yes, you!) can get the most vital things into the hands of Hurricane Sandy victims who need them most.

So, are you with me, or what?! Let me know what you’ve done to help the Hurricane Sandy recovery in the comments!

Things One Girl Learned From Living Through Hurricane Sandy

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Amanda? You’re a hot mess. Source: WENN.com

In no way, in no alternate universe, not even for Halloween do we want to look like you. And I’m pretty sure most other girls with half a brain feel the same way–so we’re confused as to who will by this new clothing line you’re designing.

We understand that you’ve said you’re “doing amazing,” (which, um, should be amazingly, not “amazing”–but whatever)–however, from where we stand, it really doesn’t look that way. Drunk driving just makes you look like an idiot who not only doesn’t value her own life, but who also doesn’t respect the safety of others. Additionally, locking yourself in a boutique’s dressing room for over an hour makes you look like a basket case. These, in case we’re not being clear, are things we do not want to look like.

We also don’t want to look like someone in denial–and honey? You are. You need help. No, I don’t know you personally, and I’m sure you have a lot of crappy stuff going on in your life that’s been fueling this tailspin, but anyone can tell that you’re not doing well. You used to be cute, funny, talented! We used to like you–and maybe even want to look like you. But for now? You’re looking pretty trashy. Here’s hoping you clean up your act before starting that clothing line of yours. Maybe you could even call it “Fresh Start.”

Love,
Gurl

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Two facts: 1) Life is crazy hard sometimes. 2) You are strong.

Hey You,

I know sometimes things are actually beyond sucksville. Even if you’re putting on a brave face in public–at home or in the bathroom stall or wherever you can be alone–life can seem so unbearable that it feels like you could just dissolve with frustration and anger.

That whole nauseated, wanting to throw stuff, but then realizing even that won’t help anything feeling? Been there.

Which brings me to my main point: no matter how terrible things are, please please know that you are not alone in this.

We've all felt this way.

If you ever, even for a minute, think there’s no one to turn to, take a deep breath and try to remember that all of us girls (even grown up girls) are dealing with or have dealt with something that seems way bigger than us–it’s just that we all deal with it in our own ways so you can’t always tell.

The truth is that someone else (and probably a lot of someone elses) has gone through crap very similar to what you’re going through right now and made it out on the other side, super glad that she did.

We can't give cupcakes so much credit.

It might sound totally impossible, but you (smart, brave, fantastic you is still in there somewhere, I know it!) can get through this–and you don’t have to do it alone. If you can’t talk to your parents or friends, or it seems like nobody’s really hearing you, you can still get help. If you or someone you care about is up against something overwhelming, you can get help from a counselor at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, anytime day or night.

You’re absolutely not alone and there are so many of us who believe in you. I can’t say that everything will ever be totally perfect (that’s not what life is), but it won’t be this bad forever. Pinky swear.

With love (and strength),
Your editors at Gurl

Have you ever survived something super hard? Tell us about it in the comments. 

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