It was 2011 and I was seeing my 7th grade world through panda-eyed eyeliner. My headphones were blasting some type of screaming music, and I was like, totally rolling my eyes at those preppy girls.
Though I am mostly embarrassed by this time in my life, I have to admit: I learned a lot from it.
1. It Really Was Just A Phase, and Life is Full of Them
"It's not a phase, mom! You don't get me!" I was literally so certain that this was how I was gonna spend the rest of my life; I pictured myself as an 80 year old woman listening to Black Veil Brides. But it seemed as soon as I had entered this "lifestyle", I lost interest. That screaming music started to just sound like screams, restocking my eyeliner every other week became too expensive, and I was tired of my bangs always over my eyes. Since then, I've had a lot more phases - health freak, gamer girl, shopaholic... but none were as scary as this one - yet. But these short blips in life? That's what makes you who you are. You become a little bit of everything that you once were.
2. Never Judge a Book by It's Cover
I know almost everyone is taught this concept, but it's another thing to actually understand it. Take me, for example; I would never hurt a fly and my personality? It wasn't nearly as dark as it seemed - but I was told frequently how scary I was. Some of my friends were just using this look as an outlet, it was a different version of themselves to escape a bad home life or low self-esteem. It's so easy to make a flash judgement, especially when they are dressed "emo", but I promise most of them are not as bad as they seem.
3. I Can Appreciate All Types of Music
As I mentioned before, I used to "love" my screamo music. Even though now it's not my cup of tea, I can appreciate it as music, unlike most people. Since then, I have always loved alternative music most; although I would consider Mumford & Sons to be much softer than Bullet For My Valentine.
4. The Glo Up Was Real
Sometimes you have to fall before you fly. I thought I was at the top of my game back then, and yet now looking at older photos, I cringe. My mom actually blew up a giant photo of me in 7th grade for my graduation party, and everyone commented on how much prettier I got. Though it's shallow, it made me realize how far I've come - both on the outside and the inside.
But most of all,
5. I've learned not to regret anything
Even though this phase was so embarrassing, I don't regret it at all. I learned a lot about myself and what I really like. I met some of my best friends during this time in my life. And it's always fun to look back at those pictures and laugh to myself.
