Hey there! 

You look awesome in that double-popped-collar Polo shirt. Your hair is straightened in the front -- so that’s all that matters -- and I am glad you decided to wear Nike dunks with a skirt. Really, I am. Because, someday, you are going to make me laugh about this style decision that you begged your mom to wear out of the house. This was a life decision. The decision we make every day when we get up in the morning and start a new day. Now, college-me is rolling out of bed in leggings and my letter sweatshirt for the third time this week.

I miss the days when there was so much thought put into an outfit. The days when your strawberry fruit pendant necklace was the hottest trend and you did not question why food was fashion. I’d go back to that. It made me feel special, even if that special feeling came from a $3 Claire’s purchase. 

Why did we care about clothes in middle school? Why did I need to buy that Juicy sweatshirt just because everyone else had one, and please tell me why I had to buy the neon pink, zip-up, velour track suit that was justified as an outfit choice just because it was Juicy Couture? Decisions like these, that 13 year old me made on a daily basis, were life lessons that I never would have realized I learned at the age of 13. Sure enough, I was doing all the right things.

First off, thank goodness my middle school did not allow cell phones during school hours -- though I must have been one of the few that followed the rule. This is a life goal, today, when I look back on it now. Zero distractions, days without worrying. Nobody would be texting you because their phones were in their lockers. You did not have to wonder if someone was ignoring you, or create multiple scenarios as to why someone was not texting you back. We all know that we worry too much about the "maybe their phone died," and the "sorry I was napping" text.

Second life lesson -- you do not need social media. One of the biggest thank yous to my generation and to our parents is for forcing me to hold off on Facebook until I was “of an appropriate age” and was able to handle the entrance into this new world. Who knew that this freedom I so desperately wanted would become something I wish I could delete from my life? I am grateful that the only things people on the internet could know or see about me were the contents of my AIM profile. Quick shout out to every inside joke with every friend I ever had that made it into my profile. Add another shout out to my favorite songs lyrics that made an appearance regularly in my info box. No shame, it was definitely High School Musical. Because honestly, that is all anyone needs to know about you on the internet. 

With the extra amount of stress and worry we put on ourselves, nowadays, maybe there is some way to channel our Abercrombie-camisole-wearing selves from years ago. Take a second out of your day to find an old picture from middle school. Do it -- I dare you.  

Dear Middle School Me, 

You do not need your cell phone. 

You do not need social media. 

Always dress to impress. 

Sincerely, 

Struggling with College Worries.