An Open Letter to All Girls
There are so many things I wish I would have known when I was younger. We all go through the “could’ve/should’ve” thoughts in our head, wondering if we would be better off had we taken a different path, or made different choices. For me, those mistakes brought me to where I am today, and I would not change that for anything. I certainly took the long way, and it was not always easy, but it was worth it. So, using my experiences and (questionable, lol) knowledge, I am going to pass on some advice for high school and college-aged girls.
- Be who YOU are. Every day is a journey in discovering who you really are. There are so many outside influences at school, work, and in the media that want to tell you who you are or should be. Do not listen to the wrong influences. Stop worrying so much what others think of you, or at least the wrong ones. Find yourself and become the person you were meant to be. Be the kind of person that makes their parents proud. Be someone YOU would be friends with.
- Love yourself. Embrace your imperfections. You will fall, both literally and figuratively, but get back up and press on. Learn from your mistakes and don’t be too hard on yourself. Besides, you are only human. Live the life you love. Do what makes you happy.
- Live life for YOU. This is your story. Do not let others write it for you. You are the creator. Enjoy your time here on earth and do not take it for granted. Nothing is guaranteed, especially time. Use it wisely. Try to be positive and take some risks.
- Always put GOD first and stand up for what you believe. Doing what is right is not always popular and doing what is popular is not always right. Do your best to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. Pray and always seek God in all you do. Act as though you are representing him. Are you doing what Jesus would do? #WWJD
- Forgive and be forgiven. Basically, suck it up and admit when you are wrong. It is tough and very humbling, but it is important to apologize. Just as you want to be forgiven, you need to forgive others. It is not for you to decide whether a person deserves forgiveness or not. Honestly, aren’t you glad you have been forgiven for your mistakes? Do the right thing and forgive those who have wronged you, FOR YOU, not for them.
- Say NO! Do not be talked into doing anything you do not want to do. You are in control of you. If someone doesn’t like you because you said no to something, you do not need them in your life. Set boundaries and be strong in upholding them. Do not compromise your morals for anyone! This applies in SO MANY ways to high school and college aged girls. From drugs and alcohol to boys, but the trick is…do NOT put yourself in bad situations. Be mindful and very cautious of people and situations. Think before you do anything. Deep down, you know right from wrong.
- Take care of yourself. Guess what, time will catch up with you. Take care of yourself now. Drink a lot of water, wash your face, eat your veggies, and get some exercise. These things are important. You only get one body. Treat it right. Also, keep a sound mind. Take time for yourself and try not to stress too much. Don’t sweat the small things! Getting all worked up over things doesn’t help. Take care of what you can, and let go of the things you cannot. Let go and let GOD!
- Family is important. Spend time with them. Tell them you appreciate and love them. Call your parents and hug them when you get a chance. Treat every day like it may be someone’s last. As for siblings, fight with them, but remember to make up. They will always have your back.
- Help others and do not be afraid to ask for help. It is often hard to set our pride aside and ask for help, but we all need it from time to time. Take the help that is offered without shame. And, always give back. Help others in any way you can. Volunteering is highly suggested. The feeling you get from serving a homeless man a meal is amazing. It is very humbling and will help you reprioritize your life and get things back into perspective. There are so many ways to help and we should all try to make the world a better place.
- Friendships are important. First, you have to be a good friend to have good friends. This goes back to the Golden Rule; Treat others like you want to be treated. It is more important to have a few great friends than several decent friends. Quality over quantity. In tough situations, you will find out who your friends are. Friendship is not about who gets you the most “likes” or “invites,” but who cares about you and is there when you need them. Pick your friends wisely. The good ones will last a lifetime.
- Work hard. Typically, success is not just handed to you, so you have to work hard for it. Even for those that had the luxury of being handed great success, still have to earn the respect of others. Never underestimate yourself. You can do great things, so do not be afraid to dream. Just remember, dreams take a lot of hard work to fulfill. Setting goals for yourself to stay focused is very helpful.
- Never stop learning. First of all, read a book. Reading is good for your brain. Next, be aware of what is going on in the world. Educate yourself on current events. Educate yourself in many things that interest you and things you should learn about, like politics. You should vote when you have the chance and make sure it is an informed one.
- BOYS!!! I saved this one for last because it is the best advice I have for you. Let me start by saying, stay single. This is important. You are trying to find out who you are and you need to work on that before getting involved with anyone. Second, chances are you will get your heart broken or even break a few yourself. That is part of life. Move on. Do not dwell over a past relationship, because it will keep you from moving forward to a positive one. No late night calls or texts or driving past their house. You look desperate. Get over the ex. They’re an “ex” for a reason. Stop listening to excuses or second guessing yourself. You are a strong, smart girl that deserves nothing but the best. STOP SETTLING!!! Always trust your instincts; its Gods way of talking to you. If you are patient, you will find your Prince Charming.
