I see you now. 13-year-old, 8th grader. Your outfit every day consists of PINK leggings that are actually black, a UNC sweatshirt, and gray UGGs. Life isn't as glamorous as you thought it would be as a teenager. You're experiencing so many emotions and no one seems to understand your wild teenage brain. I'm here to give you some advice, from older you.

I want to start out by saying you are so loved. You are so loved. And don't push people away. That doesn't help anything.

All the demons and bad thoughts that aren't starting to bring you down, don't last forever. It's a seasonal thing. You'll figure out in about two years that seasonal depression is, in fact, a thing and you're not just a moody teen who hates the winter.

You will make to high school. You will get your license. I know you don't want to even make it that far. You just want all the hurt and pain to end. You don't want to live anymore because it seems like all happiness + joy is gone from your life, but it's not. You do survive. And it's hard, really hard, but it's so worth it in the end.

Little did you know this would be the year you reconnect with God. One of your best friends that year brought Him back into your life and He stays for good. He makes you happy when you don't think you can be happy again. When you're at your lowest of lows, He's there to pick you up. He created galaxies, mountains, oceans but also thought the world needed you too. That quote will get you through a lot of hard times.

I remember all those nights I spent crying myself to sleep wondering when it will get better. I remember wondering why I was so sad when I was so young. I remember not thinking it was fair. "why do I have to be like this? god, what is wrong with me!?" I would ask myself over and over again. Hoping for any change. Those nights formed you into who you are. They formed you into a kind-hearted, trustworthy friend that everyone feels lucky to have.

If there's one thing I need you to know, it's that these hard times that you're going through will be worth it in the end. That feeling of emptiness you think will never go away, it does. The unbearable pain of your heart physically hurting, goes away. You don't need to break your razors anymore. You're not scared of what they can be used for. You can look in the mirror and be proud.

You found your passion from these hard times. You found your calling of writing and wanting to help people, which is what I hope I'm doing now. You hope to inspire others to keep going. To be the motivation you needed when you were all alone. When no one else was there, you found your motivation in writing. You found it in poetry. You now hope you can be the one who inspires. You now hope 13-year-olds who feel like they are so alone, will find your work and say, "because of her, I feel better. I have hope."

Just know it gets better. Life will get better. Sometimes it takes a while, but it will always get better. So keep pushing. Keep fighting. Keep writing. Keep loving. Keep inspiring.