Dear past me,
I am writing this to you from the near future. I look back from time to time at pictures of you and even though you look happy, I remember how you really felt. It pains me to see you that way, and if I could change it, believe me, I would. If I could go back right now, these would be the things I would tell you.
Be present. In all that you do, be 110 percent there. Put your phone down. Stop thinking of what will happen next week. Don't worry so much. Stop living your life in the future and spend time with those that are in front of you right now.
Be more involved. Join a sport. I know you don't like athletics, but join a sport, and you will learn to love it. The hardest thing to get past is that "I can't do this" attitude. You will make great friends and get good exercise that will help you in the long run. Nothing feels better than being a part of a team and knowing that you have contributed to something successful.
Eat healthier. Put down that Pepsi right now and drink some water. Seriously, you don't drink enough water. Make healthier choices and you will feel better about your body. I know that you think as long as nobody sees you eating or drinking something bad, it doesn't count. But it does. Even if you don't keep track, your body does.
Don't date that boy. You know the boy(s) I'm talking about. Seriously, stay away from them. Don't invite them to your movie night because they will kiss you and not talk to you again. They will tell all of their friends that you're too much of a "goody-two-shoes" and that you're not worth it. You are totally worth it. Don't date the boy that only texts you when he's in town from college. You are too much of a "goody-two-shoes" for that.
Date that boy. Date the boy that stays up all night with you talking about your favorite bands. Date the boy that orders pizza and eats it with you while you guys sit in the drive way looking at the stars. Date the boy that takes you to a Globetrotter's game because it's your half-birthday. Date the boy that takes you out for coffee to get to know you when he hates coffee but knows you love it.
Don't let other people tell you what to do. Take advice from trusted friends and family for sure, but don't let what other people think dictate your life. Getting married at 21 is not that young. Major in what you want to major in because that is what you are truly passionate about. Live your life. Don't let others live it for you.
Love yourself. If you don't take anything else away from this, please, please take this. You are enough. You are pretty enough. You are funny enough. You are smart enough. You are thin enough. You have got what it takes to do anything you want to do. You have leadership potential. You are a natural-born leader. You could be the President of the United States. Don't let your past mistakes tell you that you won't amount to anything. Use them as a platform to say "look how far I've come.” You are amazing and you are destined for greatness.
"You can't stop the future, you can't rewind the past, the only way to learn the secret... is to press play." - Jay Asher, “13 Reasons Why”
