A letter to my former self:

Hey kiddo, how ya been? I know you're probably crying because of that boy. And I am aware you're trying to talk to him and make sure he's okay but I'm going to give you some advice: don't.

Yes I know that sounds crazy, but just listen to me. He doesn't care about you, or who you want to be.

He doesn't care about your dreams of being on the stage or how bad you want to become a journalist or write for Buzzfeed.

That boy only cares about himself. He only wants to see you fail because it makes him think he can succeed.

Yes, I know he makes you feel like you aren't enough. That you don't matter and you'll never be someone to anyone.

But I want to tell you in a while you'll get a role in a play and you'll have so many people supporting you.

You'll have more and more people wanting to see you succeed. You'll have the love and support you've been too blind to see that you already have.

You'll be able to realize your mother wasn't trying to “ruin your life.” She just wanted to save you the heartbreak because she knew that he wasn't worth you tearing yourself down.

You'll have dreams about meeting someone who will stand up for you and make you feel wanted.

I want to tell you you're going to meet that man some day.

Notice that I said man, not boy.

That's the difference, you're going to meet the man of your dreams. He's going to make you feel better than anything in the world. He’ll be there to lift you up. He's going to make you proud to be you. He’ll be the knight in shining armor you've been waiting for. He’ll be there when you're least expecting it.

So please, stop tearing yourself down for this boy. Pick yourself back up and be who you are and don't be afraid.

Sincerely,

You.