Dear Former Self
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Health and Wellness

Dear Former Self

A letter to my younger self, and anyone in high school

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Dear Former Self
Livie Hickey 2012

If you're in high school, this is for you.

I always wanted to write a letter to myself that, if it was possible, I would give to my younger self about high school.

Dear former self,

Don't care what others think. After high school, that doesn't even matter. You think that it will matter right now, but trust me when I tell you that after graduation, what all those people thought of you is nothing.

Take time for yourself. I know that it seems selfish to focus on yourself, but take a few hours on the weekend to treat yourself. Watch Netflix, paint you nails, listen to music, whatever makes YOU happy.

Going along with that, you are the only one who will stay true to you. Stay true to yourself no matter what. People will come along and knock you down, but you will get back up and be okay. People are evil and will hurt you. You're going to be okay, it will all make sense in the long run.

Another thing, your heart will be broken. People suck, they will hurt you and someone will break your heart. It will hurt for a while but I promise that there is someone out there for you that will treat you right.

Focus on the goal. You are in high school to get the grades to go to college. All the drama you encounter will not get you into college. Focus on your studies. I promise that will be the most important thing when you graduate, it will be those grades.

Don't be so hard on yourself. I know that society makes it really easy for self-loathing but I promise that you are a good person. You are beautiful inside and out, even if you don't see it. Society makes it so easy for you to want to be someone else or change your looks to fit in but it isn't worth it. Be the you that you want to love, that is the only way that you will love yourself.

Going off of that, do not change for anyone. I already said to stay true to yourself and that things will happen that hurt you, but there are people out there who will love you for being you, there is no reason to change for anyone.

One last thing: Always remember your roots. I don't mean just family, but friends too. Remember who is always there through everything and always count on those people. It could be your family or maybe one or two close friends you have had since you were younger. Maybe it is someone you just met, but remember that those are the people who will be in your life until you are old. I know that it sounds cheesy and it is, but you will get through with just those people if need be.

So, former self, I'm not sure why no one told you this before, and I am sorry no one did because it would have been helpful for you to know.

-Livie

So for anyone in high school that needs to hear it from someone who wishes they would have known that stuff, take it from me when I say that it makes all the difference to live by those rules. Be you and love you, and others will too.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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