Dear less-secure, younger self,
It's been a long time since I've seen you, a version of me that is quite different than who I am now. You are I are so different, I realize more and more as I look back. You were the insecure and much more introverted me, afraid to make friends and afraid to be yourself.
Trust me, though, things have changed so much for us. In just a few years, you will make some of the best friends a person could ever possibly ask for. They will help you get through so much that you won't be able to imagine them not being in your life.
You will meet teachers that truly want nothing more than to see you succeed and that do care about you. They will be more than teachers to you, and they will teach you more than just stuff out of a book. They will teach you to believe in yourself more than ever.
No matter how hard it is sometimes, keep playing the sports you love. You will make amazing friends, learn what you are truly capable of and gain so much more confidence than you would ever imagine. It helps you get through more than you would think, and it was definitely worth the blood, sweat and tears. Because in the end, it made us stronger.
So younger me, life was harder back then. Truth is, everyone has a rough spot in their lives. But it is how you deal with those hard spots that made us stronger and who we are today. Never give up on your dreams, because you never know what you can do when you try.
Sincerely,
A happier and stronger you