To My 16-Year-Old Self
I know it seems like you are in some of the craziest/worst/best/emotional years of your life and it feels like you will never be out of your parents’ house and on your own. Guys can either make or break you and make you go crazy; they can make you lose best friends and cause fights with your family. It is all about the latest fashion from the best shoes to the best shirt that is in and what little amount of clothing you can make it out the door without your dad freaking out. It’s about wanting to fit in because you don’t really know who you are individually but want to be just like everyone else. Your parents are your enemies and want to ruin your plans and your sibling wants to just irritate you because they can. Dinners at the grandparents are inconvenient because you needed to go to your friend’s house because the guy you like will be there. Christmas is all about making sure that you have your list of things you want given to your mom, aunts and uncles, grandparents, etc. “Jokes” at school are fun because people around you say that they are. Being 16 is a whirlwind of an age and being older just seems like a lifetime away.
Let me give you some advice…
You will graduate and be out of high school/college before you know it and you will most likely be on the phone with your mom every single day (multiple times a day). Looking back on high school the guy drama is pointless—I promise, you need to soak up all the time with your friends and family that you can. They are the people who will be beside you through everything. Dress comfortably and cute at the same time—it isn’t all about wearing the style that everyone is wearing. Pick out clothes that you love and show the real you. Your parents love you to no end and want the absolute best for you—so when they say no to something, they actually do know what they are talking about. Siblings will turn out to be some of the best friends that you can have- they are your best friend and family and nothing can break that bond apart. Trust me. Take time to spend time with your grandparents because you do not know how long you will be blessed to have them. They adore every second they get to spend with you and love you unconditionally. Grandparents can be as fun as your friends (trust me, I live with mine!) Christmas is more than the gifts; it’s about being with your family and making memories that will last a lifetime. It’s staying up until 2 in the morning playing card games and waking up with your cousin at 5 am to wake the rest of the family up. The kid that you pick on because they take it and laugh right along with you? It’s a front. The words that they hear will have a lasting effect on them for years to come. Learn to love yourself for who you are and tell yourself, “I am enough.”
High school is a crazy ride, but life gets better and will fly by and before you know it, you’ll be writing a letter to your 16 year-old-self.
