Since I am turning 21 in a couple of weeks, I have been thinking back to when I was younger, particularly a pre-teen and what I wish I could tell my younger self.
Always be yourself, no matter what.
Always
Who the "popular girls" are won't matter once you're out of high school.
Trust me,
Stay strong.
There are going to be people who try to knock you down, don't let them.
Don't care about what other people think, otherwise it will consume you.
Other peoples opinions of you don't matter.
Who your best friends are now, most likely won't be who your best friends are in 10 years.
You'll look back on your bat mitzvah pictures in several years, and realize you are no longer friends with many of the people who were there.
Give yourself a break every once and a while.
Have fun!
Life isn't all about pleasing other people.
As long as you are happy, that's all that matters.
You are going to succeed.
Not just in school, but in every area of life.
Just because you get good grades, doesn't mean you are "lame".
Embrace your inner nerd.
Having a boyfriend isn't the most important thing in the world.
It'll happen one day.
Strive for progress, not perfection.
Progress is key.
Speaking of perfection, nobody is perfect.
And I mean NOBODY, not even the "popular" girls.
You deserve to be treated with respect by everyone, it doesn't matter if he is the cutest boy in the world.
It doesn't matter if he is the cutest boy in the world, he should treat you like a queen and nothing less than that.
Your family is who will always be there for you no matter what, for that reason and more hold them close.
They are truly the most important people in your life.
Nothing is impossible.
In fact, take that word out of your vocabulary, please.
If you get knocked down, stand up, brush yourself off, and show everyone what you are made of.
Be resilient.
Make every single day count.
And I mean every single day
You will make mistakes and that is okay.
Everybody makes mistakes, we are human.
Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself.
I don't care if it's the toughest guy in the world, you need to stand up for yourself.
Don't define yourself by what others think and say about you.
Don't let others define who you are, you define who you are.
Lastly, everything will be okay
Even though it may not seem like it now, it will all be okay.
women sitting on rock near body of waterPhoto by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
Photo by 
