I know; high school is hard. You consistently compare yourself to everyone around you. There is always someone who is skinnier, prettier, or more outgoing than you and you take it as the worst thing in the world. But it’s not.
It’s okay that you failed that one test your sophomore year second trimester in what’s-his-name’s class because, guess what, it never mattered. That 3.2 GPA means absolutely nothing when you’re enrolled in a school with 5,000 other people who had a lower GPA but are doing even better than you. Your intelligence is not based on those grades.
Friends come and go. Don’t be so focused on how many friends you have or don’t have, since most won't last two months past graduation. It’ll be really, really sad but you’ll make it, I promise. So focus on becoming a better friend, not giving up so quickly on really good friendships.
Don’t be so anxious. Everything will work out. You’ll graduate high school. You’ll pass every single class you take. You’ll find a job you love. You won’t become skinny, but you’ll begin to love yourself more than you ever have. You still won’t get a boyfriend, unfortunately.
Start to listen to One Direction so you can actually like them while they’re together. You’ll thank me two concerts, three years, and one year-long breakup later.
God so desperately loves you. Stop believing that you can make it on your own because you can’t. It’s too hard to live life without any meaning or any hope behind life. Start listening to God’s voice. Truly hear what He’s telling you and follow what He says.
Please remember that you are beautiful. Not having a date to prom didn’t make you any less worthy or desirable. It’s okay that you wore your hair in a ponytail three days in a row, I promise no one noticed. You don’t need a boyfriend to be beautiful, you don’t need blonde hair or to be a size 2. You’re simply beautiful as you are.
You won’t win Best Dressed. Sorry. I was rooting for you too, but that’s life.
Also, go to football games. They’re actually really fun.
Take your AP exams. Please. It will save you oodles of money that you so desperately need to save. I don’t care if you don’t want to take them.
This season of life is hard, confusing, and troublesome. You’re figuring out who you are and where you want to go. It’s even harder when you feel like you don’t fit in. Stop caring so much about what everything thinks about you, because it’s just too tiring. Stop trying to have it together all the time because that’s just not possible. Stop being embarrassed about the things you like because that’s what makes you the person you are. Stop being so scared of boys.
In just a matter of months, you’ll find the prayer group that makes everything easier. There you’ll find your strength, your solace, and your Savior. This group and the people in it will change everything for you.
Enjoy high school. Don’t wish it away because soon enough you’ll be in over your head with student loans, a car payment, and 40-hour work weeks. Even through this drastic life change everything will get so much better. You’ll be so much happier with the person you are when you stop comparing yourself to others and enjoy the person you are.
I know; high school sucks. But there is an end. There is a light at the end of the really dark tunnel. You’ll make it. I promise.
Love,
Almost 20-year-old Hannah
