Dear middle school self,
I guess I’ll start by saying that the whole Sperry's-and-highwater-jeans look you’re going for isn’t really working for ya. Hopefully, in the next few years, you’ll realize that. While we’re on the subject of fashion, try to remember to straighten the back of your hair for once. Or at least get your mom to do it.
There are a lot of things I wish I could tell you (that don’t involve your strange sense of style, although I can’t stress the high waters thing enough). You’re 13 years old: the age of baby fat, braces, Silly Bandz, and Akon songs. You’re not a kid and far from an adult. You’re too old for the Happy Meal, but nowhere near equipped for the Big Mac. You've outgrown Disney Channel, but don't understand half of the things you hear on MTV. Is it too much to ask for middle school to be anything remotely close to "Lizzie McGuire"?
I remember the struggles all too well. This painfully awkward period of my life will be forever engraved in my memory. The good news, middle school self, is that it gets better. Eventually, you hit a growth spurt, learn a couple of makeup tricks, and figure out who you want to be. You find your niche, meet your people, and blossom into the person you're supposed to be.
Here are the things I wish you knew when you were 13 years old.
Image is the most important thing you can have. This doesn’t mean everyone has to love you because just telling you now, not everyone will. But popularity isn’t tangible, it will fade, and it has no real worth in the grand scheme of things. However, your image is how people will remember you and to me, that’s pretty important. Make the most of the time you have with these people because you never know how much your kind actions can mean to someone. So hold that door, smile more, and be a friend. After all, in order to have a friend, you must first be one.
Yourself is the best person you can be. Cheesy, yes. True? Double yes. The urge to be like everyone else is stronger than ever in those three years. You want to be accepted and embraced and are willing to do whatever it takes to feel that acceptance. However, at the end of the day, your true friends will accept the real you. They will accept your quirks, your flaws, and your weird habits. These are the friends you should hold on to. Never settle for friends who don't make you feel like a million bucks.
You are who you hang out with. The old Japanese proverb said it best: "When the character of a man is not clear, look at his friends." Surround yourself with people who make you a better person. Choose your crew wisely because the company you associate with has an incredible influence on your thoughts and actions.
Live life with eternity in mind. That math test you failed won't matter in 30 years. Granted, school is important, so always try your best, but there is more to life than grades, friends, and having a date to school dances. All the little things that weigh on your heart will have no significance when you're an adult. One day, your brain will have blocked out the majority of middle school, so don't spend your time and energy dwelling on the small stuff.
Drama? Na-da. Stay far, far away from the slightest inkling of drama. It will, in fact, make your life miserable. Be the bigger person, turn your cheek, and run as fast as you can from the nonsense.
So, middle school self,
Work on getting some new jeans, be yourself, and stay focused on what's important. Save yourself the time and energy and know that it's all going to be OK no matter how terrible it seems right now. Freshman year will be here before you know it, but that's for another day.
Sincerely,
Your slightly older self
