To my younger self,
I’m sorry for the names I called you. I’m sorry for being so hard on you. I’m sorry you believed that harsh voice in your head. I’m sorry for hurting you more than everyone else. I should’ve treated you better. If I could go back and tell you how much I love you I would. I want you to know that it’s okay to love yourself.
Here is a list of things I wish you would’ve known growing up.
Don’t always listen to that pesky little voice in the back of your head that says you aren’t good enough. Yes you are. You may not believe it all the time but you are good enough. You are smart, smarter than you think. Just because your grades don’t reflect that doesn’t mean you aren’t smart.
Don’t let your happiness be based off of others opinions of you. Not everyone will like you and you won’t like everyone. That’s okay. Everyone is different, you can’t please everyone. Surround yourself with people that care about you and make you feel good about yourself. It’s okay to cut off toxic people. You don’t need them in your life. Focus on the friends that stick by your side through everything!
Don’t be afraid to branch out. Yes, you have your amazing group of friends and keep them but also make more friends. Try new things! Put yourself in situations you wouldn’t normally to get out of your comfort zone. Routine is boring. Shake it up a little! People like you once you open up so do it more often! Rejection is scary, I know, but so is sticking to the same old thing.
Don’t cry over that dumb boy who hurt you. There will be other, better boys in due time. Have patience. But also don’t rely on a boy to make you happy. There are many other things that make you happy. Read a book. Write a story. See your friends. Do anything to make yourself happy. You are in control of your own feelings, just remember that.
Don’t give up what you love to do. I know it may be hard sometimes to find the motivation but trust me it’ll all be worth it. Have confidence in what you’re doing. You can make anything happen if you set your mind to it.
I love you. I wish I would’ve told you that more but I do.