Dear me,
I know how you’re feeling right now; your life is finally beginning! You’re a freshman in high school, ready to take on the world and truly become somebody. But high school is a journey, one that comes with many ups and downs. I wish I could go back in time and teach you all of the life lessons I’ve learned along the way, and I wish I could save you from all the hardship you’re going to face. But you’re strong, and you will only become stronger with time.
Don’t worry about fitting in with others. Acceptance is important to you, I know that. But don’t become someone you’re not for the sole purpose of getting others to like you. It’s okay to stand out and be different, and it’s okay to show your true colors. Pretending to be someone you're not is a lot of work; it’s a tiring and lonely path to travel down. Learning to accept yourself is the easiest way to get acceptance from others.
Some days you’ll question who you really are. You’ll ask yourself countless of times what you want to do with your life, and it’s okay that you don’t have all the answers! The sooner you come to terms with that, the sooner you’ll be able to enjoy who you are right now at this very moment.
Those who stand beside you now won’t always be there. New friends will be made, but many will be lost along the way. Losing a friend is heart breaking, and in the moment you’ll feel like a piece of you has gone missing. But don’t worry, the best of friends are yet to be found. And when you find them, it will be like discovering buried treasure. Good friends are priceless; treat them well and be there for them as you would want them to be there for you.
I wish I could look you in the eyes and tell you how important it is to guard your heart. Many people will come into your life who aren’t willing to handle you with care. Hearts are easily broken, and your’s is no exception. When you do find yourself hurting, know that things will always get better. You have friends and family who would go to the ends of the earth for you. Please don’t push them away.
Be willing to work hard now. School is boring sometimes, I get that. And I know you’d rather be hanging out with your friends than doing homework. But if you put in the effort now, things will be much easier for you later. Always strive for success, don’t just settle for passing. Your goal shouldn’t be to memorize things. Instead, try to actually learn! Knowledge is such a beautiful thing, and you will feel so satisfied when you take something away from your classes.
Respect your teachers. I know you don’t think they notice you sitting in the back with your phone out, but they do. Imagine if that was you in the front of the class, giving away all of this great information and nobody was listening to you. How hurtful would that be? Be the student that listens and takes notes. Impress your teachers with your maturity. Set the standards for those around you.
You’re so beautiful, and it kills me that you don’t know it yet. I wish you could see yourself through the eyes of others, or even through my eyes now. Everywhere you turn, you’re being bombarded with propaganda on how you should walk, talk, dress, and look. You may not look like the models in the magazines, but nobody looks like that! So what if you don’t have the straightest hair? Who cares if you don’t have the flattest tummy? You were fearfully and wonderfully made, so believe in that! You are beautiful inside and out; don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise.
Life is short. I know you hear that often, but don’t take it lightly. It seems like just yesterday I was in your shoes, ready to begin life as a high school student. It’s so easy to want to press the fast forward button and grow up. But please, don’t wish your life away. You feel like you’re too young to do the things you want to do, but you’re too old to do the things you’ve always done! It’s a frustrating situation to be in, I know. But relish in your youth! You’re young, so be young! Don’t worry about what the future holds. Put in the work now and everything will play itself out. The day will come when you’ll finally enter adulthood, I promise. But for now, enjoy being a child. You only have one childhood, so cherish it. One day you’ll look back at your high school years, and you’ll smile and ask yourself where the time has gone. I’m proud of who you are now, and I hope you’ll be proud of the person you someday become. Good luck.
Love, me.
