A letter from the founder, Abigail Rach

I didn’t start The Worn Out just to sell clothing.
I started it because I’ve seen how silent suffering can steal the people we love.
I started it because mental health matters — and too many people still feel like they have to pretend they’re okay.

Over the past few years, I’ve lost people I love deeply to mental illness. Not because they were weak, but because they were hurting in a world that didn’t always make space for that pain. These were people full of light, humor, talent, and heart — people I never imagined life without. And yet, they’re not here anymore.

Those losses shook me. They made me realize how many others are walking around with invisible weight on their shoulders. In college, I started noticing it with peers even more — the anxiety, the burnout, the overwhelming pressure to hold it all together while falling apart inside. I saw how easy it was for someone to feel completely alone, even in a crowded room.

That’s why I created The Worn Out Project.
It’s not a brand. It’s not a trend.
It’s a movement.

The Worn Out Project is about showing up in real spaces — high schools, colleges, youth programs — to talk openly about mental health. I share my story, I speak from the heart, and I create room for students to feel seen, heard, and supported. I provide resources, encouragement, and most importantly — connection.

Mental health affects everyone. No one is immune — not the top student, not the class clown, not the athlete, not the quiet kid in the back row. It’s time we stop pretending otherwise. It's time we start talking about it — for real.

The Worn Out storefront is an extension of that mission. Every tee, hoodie, and cropped tank carries a message that matters — reminders like “You are enough” or “One day at a time.” It’s fashion that opens doors for conversation. Fashion that helps someone feel a little more understood, a little less alone.

This is not about pity.
This is about purpose.

It’s about creating something that gives back — not just through words, but through action. That’s why 10% of every sale goes toward mental health campaigns and support efforts.

To the ones who are struggling quietly: you are not a burden. You are not invisible. You matter — more than you know.

To the ones who want to be part of the change: listen, support, speak up. Even the smallest act of kindness or understanding can make all the difference in someone’s life.

We all have a role in this.
We all have a voice.
And we are done staying silent.

With love and purpose,
Abigail Rach
Founder, The Worn Out + The Worn Out Project
thewornout.com