Dear Middle School-Aged Me,
I'm writing this letter to tell you that life gets ten times better after you walk out the doors of junior high forever. Right now, you probably feel like you're trapped in an awkward body that's changing every day and you have no idea how to react to these changes. Your hormones are raging and all you want to do is kiss boys and punch people in the face who look at you the wrong way, then cry and laugh about it five seconds later. This is totally normal, but please try to get through it without hurting anyone who is important to you along the way.
No, caking layers of foundation onto your face will not make your acne go away or convince anyone you don't have it. And no, it does not look good. Neither does the thick, black eyeliner you tried to draw on yourself in the dark at 7:00 a.m. before school. Most importantly, that extra small Hollister t-shirt does look ridiculous. Mom isn't telling you this to be mean- - it, in fact, does not fit you.
The people who you are hanging around with right now could be your besties for the rest of your life, or they could just be your "middle school friends" forever. Don't stress out too much if you haven't found that group that makes you feel at ease yet. After all, everyone is just like you, trying to fit in somewhere. High school will change all of that when you can finally find your crew on a sports team, club, or even just at surrounding lockers. (This is foreshadowing your future.) You will find your people eventually. I promise.
You are not going to marry the first boy who tells you you're pretty or makes you their #1 on MySpace. It may feel like you have the perfect relationship, but remember, you're still in middle school and haven't even met half of the people in your grade, never mind in the universe. I agree with you, being heart broken is one of the worst feelings in the world, but time heals all wounds. And there will always be more fish in the sea. Also, setting your ringtone to your own personal recording of "Bad Day" by Daniel Powter won't help. Don't do it.
I swear, the black North Face and Uggs phase will eventually dwindle out. Being a clone of every other human being is not the way it works in the real world. Let's face it, you really aren't in love with the look, so why bother spending the money on it? Just wait until high school when you gain the courage to have your own unique style and rock it. I guarantee you will receive way more compliments on your cute TJ Maxx sweater than you did on your polka dot "cami" from Aeropostale.
For the love of God, stop using Picnik and writing all over your pictures. Save these pictures for memories as they are. No one will want to see your romantic quote when you're trying to find a roommate in college. Also, selfies with peace signs and giant hoop earrings and a touch of colored braces brackets are a hard no. On that note, stop taking selfies in the Apple Store. Enough already! You'll regret it later.
On a final note, please just be true to yourself. Don't let anyone convince you to be someone you're not or to do things you don't want to do. You may not know it now, but you are literally so young. The world still awaits you. Deep down, somewhere in there, there is a great person just waiting to be free from the disgusting middle school phase. Keep your chin up and remember that the best is still in the future. You'll look back and laugh at your middle school days eventually.
Sincerely,
College-Aged You
