"If I could write to the kid I was before."

I know, I know. I was supposed to write part three tonight, and I know some of you were actually really looking forward to it, but you'll just have to wait another week or so.

I've been feeling super nostalgic lately, and by lately, I mean about a year now. I think back to when I was in high school and all the things that were going on then. The music, the tv shows, the style, the mindset, how much different things were then in comparison to now. I think back to my 17 year old self as a 23 year old and just think about how easy I had it. What little responsibility I really had back then, like not pay rent. I've thought about the advice I would give 17 year old me, and I think it would sound a little like this.

Listen up, punk. You're what, 17 now yeah? Look, you're young, senior year of high school is about to start in two weeks. Things are gonna start to change for you. That's why I'm telling you this and you really need to listen to me. Enjoy being a kid. Enjoy your emo hair, the skinny jeans, the music. Be you, man. Just do you, and stop making shit up, you look like an idiot and it doesn't make you any more cool. Just be you, people will still like you. Tell mom thank you. She puts up with your shit more than anyone else and she'll always be in your corner. Tell her thank you and just wash the dishes without her telling you to. I bet it will make her entire day. Listen younger me, do yourself a favor and ask for some help. You cannot carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. You need to take time and worry about yourself. Tell mom, tell the guidance counselor, tell Zach, I don't care who. No one is going to send you away, they only want to help, and throw the damn thing away. It's not worth the scars later in life. Just ask for help. Listen man, life's not out to get you. I promise you, I know you don't believe a word I'm telling you but you need to believe me. Life isn't as bad as it looks. It gets better. It gets so much better. I know you're struggling right now. I know you feel so overwhelmed and that the deck is stacked against you, and to a degree, it is. Tough shit. What? Because someone who you thought would support you doesn't you decide to shut down and give up? No. I wish I had listened to mom when she said that exact thing to me at 17. Use their doubt as motivation to throw it in their face, and you will, and you will feel so good about proving them and everyone else wrong.

Listen kid, along with everything else I'm telling you, I want you to do one thing for me, huh? Enjoy being this young. Live each day to the fullest. Enjoy every lazy summer day, and every sleepless night with your friends. Go hard at every concert. Go make stupid memories with your friends. Do the things that you look back at one day and go "Why in the hell did I think that was a good idea?!" Don't forget where you came from, who had your back, and who was there to help you every step of the way. "Just don't forget this, we won't regret this." Listen to The Maine with this lyric and just enjoy being a teenager. Remember kid, you don't need those who doubt you. Remember who was there with you, and enjoy this time of your life.

All the love and support in the world,

Your 23-year-old self