There are always moments, or even years, that we regret. It is a part of life. Frankly, the teenage girls I left behind are better left there, in the past, where no one can see them. If I could, however, talk to my 16-year-old self, here is what I would say:
1. That tight, high-waisted bandage skirt you're wearing is not cute.
Take it off. That and the bedazzled tank top you're wearing off. Put on something flattering that won't actually blind people.
2. This boy is not the love of your life.
You may think the world is ending because he dumped you for a beautiful, blonde, size zero girl, but I promise you in a few years you are going to realize what a bad guy he really was.
3. Learn how to correctly do your eyeliner.
Don't just load it all on as if it's the last time you will ever get to wear eyeliner. In fact, this goes for all makeup. You don't need 12 pounds of makeup to look pretty, and if you do, at least learn how to put it on correctly.
4. You do not want to strive to be like the people on "Jersey Shore."
Snooki is hilarious and the show may be entertaining, but stop trying to be like them. They are not cool, they are not successful, and they are not anything you need to be.
5. The Freshman 15 is real.
Don't ever get out of the habit of working out, because when you move into your college dorm, all those french fries you're eating now will catch up to you if you don't stay on track.
6. It's fine that you don't know what you want to be when you grow up.
It may seem like everyone around you knows what college they're going to and what major they will have, but you have more than enough time to figure that out, so stop stressing.
7. Stop glorifying heavy drinking and partying.
I know that everyone and everything surrounding you seems to be all about alcohol and parties, but don't let everyone around you pressure you into doing anything you don't want to do.
8. The girls at school who you want to be like really aren't that great.
They may seem all great with their perfectly toned bodies, expensive purses, and hot boyfriends, but you need to learn how to be your own person. Never strive to be exactly like someone else.
9. It's okay that your parents won't buy you a Mercedes for your first car.
I know so many of your peers are getting $50,000 cars the day they turn 16, but majority of them will total it within six months, and you will be perfectly happy with your 2007 mid-size SUV with a squeaky steering wheel. It has character.
10. Spend as much time with your family as possible.
You will miss them when you go to college. You will cry because of how much you miss them and stain your pillow in your dorm with mascara on the first night there.
11. Some of your 'best friends' now won't be your friends in two years.
This one may seem harsh, but some of these girls you swear you will never grow apart from will leave your life. People change, people grow, and that's okay. Embrace it.
12. Study.
Get good grades. Take the ACT as many times as you need to. Join clubs. Volunteer.
13. Stop disrespecting your parents.
While you all may disagree on so many things, in a very short amount of time, everything they ever didn't let you do or said "no" to will all make sense and you will thank them.
14. Better things are coming.
You're young, you're dramatic, and you blow everything out of proportion. The things you're sweating over now won't matter in the long run, and things will be so great for you, you just have to be patient.
15. Actually dance at every school dance.
Don't stand in the corner with your friends. Get out on the dance floor and electric slide like your life depends on it.
16. Don't take a single thing for granted.
Not your friends, not your teachers, not your family, anything. Enjoy every single thing in your life; especially your mom doing your laundry, because it will all change very soon.
