Dear 17-Year-Old Me,
Hi, it’s you at 19! I know it seems like two years isn’t a long time, but you have grown into such a beautiful young woman, and there are so many things I want to tell you. Your life has brought you to some amazing places since the age of 17. It may not have been easy to get where you are today, but it was well worth it.
I know you expected your senior year of high school to be so much fun and perfect like everyone makes it out to be. Unfortunately, it wasn't so special. You’re in a really tough spot right now and it’s super scary. But that’s okay, I have great news: High school isn’t everything. In fact, it’s barely anything. It only gets better from here.
This year has been really rough for you. I know it’s hard to believe right now, but you’ll make it through today, tomorrow, and the next day. You’ll find a date to prom, pass all of your classes, and have a successful last season of sports. Your relationship with mom and dad will get a lot better, too, and you'll be thankful that they weren't afraid to be parents when they needed to be instead of trying to be your best friend. Maybe they aren't experts in all situations but they are doing their best and they love you so much.
In high school every little thing seems like the end of the world, but you’ll look back on all these tough times and realize how strong some of them have made you, and realize how silly the rest of them were. Every single experience that this world brings you is a blessing and a gift in some way, shape, or form. You may not realize why things had to be the way they are right away, but eventually you will. Figuring that out is such a great feeling.
Spoiler alert: That boy you’ve been crying over lately is an asshole. I know the pain of breaking up after a long 10 months does not seem fair at all, but I assure you that you will come to your senses soon enough. It won't take long for you to look back and laugh and try to figure out what you were even thinking. There are so many other guys out there that are far better and will treat you right (not to mention way more attractive). I know right now it’s hard because it seems like you’re totally alone and no one understands, but it won’t be like that for very long. You will eventually have great people surrounding you in your life, both at home and at college. On top of all this, you will even learn to love yourself along the way, and the best part about that is you will never feel alone again.
I hate to break it to you, but things get harder before they get easier. You’ve lost some important people in your life, and that is not an easy thing to just get over. But you do. You’re stressed about going off to college and having everything change. But it ends up being okay. You’re going to have nights where you want to sleep forever, and nights you can’t sleep because anxiety attacks keep you awake. But you will get through them. It’s going to feel like the end of the world, but in all reality it is just the beginning of a whole new beautiful one.
My advice for you right now is to take everything with a grain of salt. I know you don’t believe me, but everything works out and everything happens for a reason. You’re so hardworking and determined, and that’s really going to pay off in your years to come. Keep standing your ground, respecting yourself, and not letting anyone tear you down. If it makes you feel any better, all those people who have made you feel like shit or made you feel like you aren’t good enough haven’t really gone far in life. You, on the other hand, have been doing SO amazing and have so much to be proud of. Try not to dwell over things that stress you out; they are just things. Even your worst days only have 24 hours, and everything eventually passes.
So do your best to enjoy the rest of your 17th year of life, as well as your 18th one. I can assure you 19 has a lot of good to bring. I can’t speak for 20 (yet) but knowing how far we’ve made it, I’m sure we can make it through anything from here on out. I love you. Stay strong.
Love,
19-Year-Old You
