First, I have to say how weird this feels talking to my younger self through a blank document. I've spent the past few days feeling the dreadful writer's block that people complain about. Finally I thought about this idea, so here I am with ten things I wish I would have known when I was your age.
1.) Spend more time with your family and friends instead of hiding in your room.
2.) What you're feeling at this very moment may not entirely disappear, but it'll become manageable. One day you will no longer be consumed by your anxiety and depression, instead you will live with it and help others do so too.
3.) Stop comparing yourself to others, even if it sounds cliche. Your looks don't define you, they never have and they never will. If someone wants to judge you because you don't have clear skin or you're not supermodel thin, then that says more about them. Plus do you really want someone in your life that makes you feel unworthy because of it?
4.) Boys come and go. The one you like now will be irrelevant when you're twenty, so stop putting all your focus on him.
5.) You are so much more than your grades.
6.) Sports aren't everything, but give tennis a shot. You will by no means become a pro at it, but you will create friendships and confidence in yourself.
7.) Go to the school dances, they're lame but the memories are worth it.
8.) Create bonds with your teachers, specifically your sophomore science teacher. She's going to become a mentor and friend to you one day, so don't let that change. She'll also inspire you to watch The Office, a show that you're going to fall in love with.
9.) Speaking of love, you won't find it in high school, but don't let that make you feel any less worthy of it. You will fall in love one day and you'll be happy you didn't have to deal with the aftermath of it in high school when you're young and naive.
10.) Most importantly, be proud of who you are, even if you don't think you're good enough because you are, you really really are.
And on that sappy last tip, I leave you and my readers with the advice I find beneficial for not only myself, but others too.
With love, Sam
