Dear 16 Year Old Self,
I am so proud of you and how far you have come. At 16 years old you felt like you were on top of the world, but at other moments, you felt so defeated and done. You had a hard battle with anxiety and depression and honestly had no idea what was happening in your life. Schoolwork was so overwhelming, as well as everything else. You didn't always know how to balance life and work and once you became a senior in high school you thought about finding other ways out.
If it weren't for your wonderful family you may have even ended your life. You got the help you needed though and opened a new door. It took time and about three and a half years, but now you are in such a great place. If I could go back and change things, I wouldn't. What happened in the past shaped who I am today, but I did decide to change things, this is what I would tell you...
1. Don't allow yourself to stress the little things.
At 16 you stressed over whether you had a boyfriend or not and whether your grades were the best that they could be. You stressed over whether you would get into a good college or even further your education. Let me tell you, you made it out just fine and you were accepted into two great schools.
2. Don't worry about others so much.
You literally cared way too much about others and what they thought of you. Everyday was a struggle because of this. You picked out your outfits based off what you thought others would think. You killed yourself in school in hopes that your grades would be just as good as your super smart friends. You cared so much about what others thought that you forgot who you were. It was as if every inch of personality was sucked out of you and you neglected to recognize that. All you wanted was to fit in and you did it the wrong way. The best way to find out where you belong is to be yourself.
3. Remember where you came from and how that shaped you.
When you started college you took the wrong path and strayed a little from your roots. Always remember your values and what you believe in. Use them to guide you along in life and keep you where you belong. It's easy to stray from time to time, but it's not always so easy to get back on track.
4. Lastly, remember that family is forever.
Regardless of what happens between you and your friends you always have your family to fall back on. Even as a junior in college now, family is still so important. I am so excited when the parents come and visit and for any opportunity I have to go home.
16 year old self, I wish you knew how valuable you are and where you are going to be some day. Today, you are studying to be a teacher and you have the best friends in the world. They love you and accept you for who you are. You no longer care what others think and because of that, life is so much easier. You live life day to day and let God handle the rest.
I can't change what you have done, but I can grow from it. I've learned a lot in life, and over the last four and a half years, but what I find most important is to love who you are, love others, forgive and dedicate all of yourself to whatever you do.
Sincerely Yours,
20 Year Old Self
