Dear _____,

Things are scary right now, and unknown. But that's okay. Embrace the murkiness of feeling uncertain. If you think you have it all figured out, you are further behind than somebody who has no idea what they're doing. Even though it’s scary not knowing what direction your life will take, this state of limbo offers a freedom that very few other stages of life can offer. Relish it.

Life is not a black and white picture. You aren’t right half as much as you think you are, and you’ll be doing yourself a favor by remembering that. All of your beliefs that you clutch to as permanent and unchanging- question them, even when it feels terrifying to fathom that there is even the slightest of possibilities that they aren’t true. Because otherwise, you will never feel even half as committed to them if you never look at as to why you believe them. You will have to start from the ground up, and slowly re-establish who you want to be and what you truly believe. And that is okay.

Things are going to suck sometimes, it’s undeniable. But it’s also unavoidable. In those moments, allow yourself to hurt. Allow yourself to feel pain, and loss, and grief. It doesn’t mean you’ve failed, or that you’re weak, even though you feel like a train wreck. Tomorrow will be better. And in a while, you’ll start to notice the rays of sunshine again.

Don’t betray your friends, for any reason. People who love and support you will be the only thing to keep you going sometimes. They are the ones who help you remember your worth, even when you’ve forgotten it, or been forced to forget it. Love them, be there for them. But also remember to take the time to be alone; you need time to be still. You will drive yourself over the edge with pressure and stress if you don’t learn simply to hit pause sometimes, and enjoy the silence.

It’s a part of growing up, figuring out what is truly important to you as a person, what values you will retain and cherish, and which you will leave behind. This isn’t a process that should be taken lightly or one that happens overnight. But it’s worth it, so have patience when everything is confusing. Don’t let other people tell you who you should be. Learn to look yourself in the mirror and love yourself. Because in the end, you are the best friend of you, and you are sometimes the only person that’s going to be there.

You won’t figure it all out. Not now, not ever. Just figure out what you can, and let yourself work on the rest. Take each day at a time, and don’t forget how valuable and precious every 24 hours are. Pour love and kindness out, every day. Live your life to help everyone you can, which is probably more often than you usually care to admit. Take care of yourself, and take the time to learn who you truly are, deep inside. Don’t let that person escape- instead, let them grow and flourish.

Keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Sincerely,

Someone who knows your rose will bloom.