To my younger self,
This time in your life will be the most confusing, stressful and fun of your entire life probably. Friends will go in and out of your life faster than you ever imagined. Boys will be dumb and not appreciate how fantastic you truly are. You will have some of the worst fights with your family but recover quick because they are ultimately the most important thing in your life.
The main thing I want you to remember is that you are good enough. There will be so many times through middle and high school that you will not feel like this or you will, quite frankly, just be told it straight to your face. I cannot express how untrue this is. Just because you don't go out every weekend or wear the coolest clothes does not mean you are not good enough. You will find that these things will become so petty and unimportant as you get older. Don't listen to the cruel people out there even though it is extremely hard to ignore them.
There are going to be so many people telling you to change. Change your hair, change your style, change your make-up, change your opinion, change your attitude, etc. Please don't change for anyone but yourself. If you see it benefitting you, then by all means change. However, if you are changing for anyone but yourself, don't. That awful haircut and hours during the week of trying to cover ups stretch marks will only make you miserable.
Boys will be so wonderful one minute and so mean the next. You will feel like you're so important to them but then they will throw you to the side when something better comes along. Don't let this get to you because it isn't your fault. You aren't doing anything wrong because you're standing your ground on what you want. Eventually the right one will come along (even if I'm still waiting for him as I write this).
Don't take your family for granted. These people that give you money when you need it, pay for you meals, have dinner waiting for you, listen to you and give you some of the best advice will eventually not be there 24/7. Eventually, you will have to help yourself through situations without help with money or advice. Appreciate them while you are around them and make sure they know just how important they are to you.
Growing up is hard. Just be yourself. Try to do the right thing whenever it is possible and karma will repay you, I promise.
