When I was younger, National Coming Out Day made me feel incredibly guilty, because I felt I was required to tell people things about myself that I couldn't yet verbalize. I've known I was queer since I was nine, but I wasn't properly out until last year. By which I just mean to say: There's no right way to do it. There's no time limit, no one you're letting down if you're not comfortable coming out yet. 

For me, National Coming Out Day is about offering support. Growing up gay, I was deeply hurt by the things people would say around me. One day in high school I counted, and heard the word "gay" used as an insult more than thirty times. Things like that are damaging, and can make insecure and depressed queer individuals feel diminished even further, especially when it constantly surrounds you.

What I guess I'm trying to say is this: It's okay if you're not out. It's okay if you're not sure what your sexual orientation is. It's okay to change your idea of what your orientation is later. It's okay if your feelings don't fit into a nicely labeled box. It's okay to question things, and explore your feelings, and you can do it without judging yourself. It's okay to be scared. It's okay to be sad. It's okay if you're not ready, and it's okay if you're never ready. You don't owe anyone a definition of yourself. 

No matter who you are, no matter how bad things seem, you are worthy of love and respect.