Dear Jack,
There are so many things I wish I could say to you that could make the next few years of your life easier, but I know that would be pointless. Also, we both know you wouldn't listen anyways. Nothing I could possibly say would be able to prepare you for the crazy changes you're going to experience not only before high school ends, but also once you go through your first year of college. It's going to be a bumpy ride, but you can do this. Here are a few things you should know:
Stop worrying about college and enjoy high school.
Right now, you are thinking about the future, as you always are. On a positive note, you are going to love college. It will be completely different from anything you’ve expected, but nonetheless, you will have the time of your life. You're a sophomore in high school and you're learning to drive; enjoy those memories you are making! Slow down, and do not rush to get to the next step in life. Soon, all you will be able to think about is being 18 and leaving for college, and you will forget to focus on the present and the importance of living in the moment. Please don’t.
Don’t obsess over your sports. While they are great, they are not your whole life.
I know that swimming and running seem like the two most important things in the world to you -- that they somehow define who you are as a person and who you will be -- but that's just not the case. Enjoy your time competing. You will have some of the greatest times in high school doing just that, but you have to realize that once it's over, it's over. There is no going back, and that is OK! Sports will not be a defining characteristic in your life past the age of 18, even though they feel like everything you've got right now. You will find so many more abstract interests that you will love later in life, and high school sports will always be a great memory to look back on.
Don’t be afraid to fall.
Fall hard into everything that you do. Learn to enjoy the simple things in life and find the beauty in the depths of the shallow waters. Don't run from what you are scared of if it's something you want. Take those risks, and do whatever makes you happy as long as you are doing it because it truly makes you happy.
Explore as much as you can, in any way that you can.
Don't ever let yourself feel stuck in one place for too long. Adventure in any way possible, whether that be to go on an actual trip (which you will do, but I don't want to spoil the surprises), get lost in art, dive into a book, fly away with music -- do all of it, man, please. Go find your niches, and embrace the bumps along the road. I can’t wait for you to see how amazing life is outside of that town.
You’ll only keep in touch with two or three people from high school, and that's OK.
The list of reasons why this is so true is endless, but trust me, do not sweat over the idea of losing your high school friends. People change, time progresses, and that's basically all there is. But never forget that if someone truly wants to be in your life (or if you want to be in their life), an effort must be made to make sure that that happens. The amazing friends you will meet in college are waiting for you, though, and that wait is beyond worth it. I promise. Once you leave, you won’t feel the need to come home because you will have found a new home by then, and you won’t need to look back.
Embrace the moments when you are the weakest; they will make you stronger.
Some things are going to suck, and you will have to lose yourself before you can find yourself, but I know you and your heart. You are so much stronger than you think you are. Don’t ever feel as though you have to carry your burdens alone; you will have so many people to share that weight with you. Don’t ever give up on anything you really want and what makes you truly happy. Always be yourself, even if that isn't always what those around you would prefer. Always let your light shine bright.
But most of all, just know that it will all be OK. You will be OK. It might not seem like it right now, but the light always shines at the end of the tunnel; some tunnels are just larger than others. Never forget to dream, never let anyone tell you that your ideas aren't acceptable. You can do anything you set your mind to. Embrace who you are and show the world all of your colors.
