Dear middle school version of me,
Let me start off by saying that the guy you are crushing over right now will just end up breaking your heart in the end, so forget about him.
Right now you are 13, and that could only mean one thing. There are many changes happening in your life in school, at home, and even in your body. You are going through that awkward stage of your life. Don't worry, everyone your age is going through the same thing.
Your life is just about to start.
That test you just took that you thought you failed? You didn't, and you actually got the highest grade in the class. Take this opportunity to remember the drive and ambition you have right now and keep it going. When you get to my age, you'll need it just to even get out of bed in the morning.
Take chances. Go out for that solo in your favorite song in chorus class. Enter your art piece into the scholastic competition. Try out for the basketball team. Even if these chances fall short of coming true, at least you tried. When something in life that may seems challenging gets thrown at you, take it and run with it. Be a leader instead of sitting by the wayside waiting for things to come to you. You will never know what you are missing if you don't get up and just do it.
Enjoy the time you are spending with your group of friends right now, because chances are, you will not have that same group of friends when you get to high school and especially college. When one of them invites you to sleep over at their house, do it. The next time your best friend asks you to go out for pizza with their family because they were told to invite a friend, go with them. When your friend calls you at 2 a.m. freaking out about her "mega crush" that just texted her saying, "I think ur cute," stay up with her and cherish the moment. Your friends value your friendship. Either you will stay friends or grow apart, but either way you will gain thousands of great memories along the way.
There will be times when girls or boys will try to make you feel like you aren't special or like you are not beautiful.
But, sweetheart, they are wrong.
Ignore the bullies because one day they will be working for you. Who cares if you are a little bigger than some of your classmates? If someone puts you down for your weight, I want you to go straight home as soon as you can and open up that box of Cosmic Brownies and remind yourself that you are just as beautiful as the girls who can fit in a size 0. You are beautiful, inside and out. If someone tries to make you feel like you are worthless, brush it off like it was nothing.
Life is too short to sit around and be bored all the time. So get off the couch and make your mark on this world. I know you will.
I'll be watching.
Sincerely,
Future you
