As time goes on we get older and look back at our younger days which may bring laughter and sometimes regrets. Now, I'm not old at all, but looking back, honestly up until last week, I would've done a few things differently; so to my younger self:

To start, you are smart, smarter than you think so don't let that go to waste. Your freshman year of high school is so much more important than you think, especially for college. Don't ever think you're not smart enough, even in your worst subjects. (Plot twist: you got an A- in Chemistry in college even though you could barely pass in high school). Anyways, please, please, please focus on your priorities. Do not skip class to hang out with your friends, not until your senior year anyway, you'll do that more often than you think that year. Really put in the work now because it will make a huge difference for later. Don't forget work hard, play hard. Have some fun, just not too much.

Do not waste your time and energy being mad about petty, little things. You did a pretty good job but not letting things get to you, but sometimes you'll slip and still do today, that's okay, Just try to remember stressing over things you can't change is just bad for your health. Just focus on yourself and what you can do to be the person you want to be.

Save your money. Your parents will allow you to get a job, finally. The things is, you still won't have any bills to pay so you'll blow all your money you earned during the time you worked instead of saving it and you will still kick yourself for it. And when your parents want you to quit that first job you love so much to focus on school, just listen. It sucks, I know, but school is more important and in the end they're still giving you money so take advantage of it while you can.

Right after they make you quit that job they'll buy you a car and I wish I could tell you not to crash it but you will and it will be totaled. You will cry about it and I can't blame you, but when this happens try to remember it's not the end of the world and you'll have a new one before you know it, and you'll even like it more. This applies to your life in general. Bad things will happen and you won't know why, but sometimes you later find out they were only opening a door for better things. The worst thing that will have happened to you up until this point is one of your grandpa's passing away, Papi Guillermo. This will be hard and you'll hold back a lot of tears but you'll have a boatload of people who are there for you through out it all. You'll still think about him almost two years later, but I promise he's always with you.

In the end you'll have your ups and your downs. You will make mistakes and you will learn from them. As you get older, including now you'll learn a lot more and will continue to do so. Don't be so hard on yourself. You will make some very unlikely friendships that you'll cherish deeply and you'll surprise yourself more often than not. I'll tell you right now, never say never. Except for at this moment when I tell you there's going to be a lot more evil in this world than you think. It's scary but never let that take advantage of you. Be a part of the little bit of good that's left in this world and start making a difference. You're going to do great, just please don't ever give up and don't let anyone dull your sparkle.

Love,

your older self