What would I tell my former self? I would say love does exist at first sight. That sunsets aren't as profound as everyone says they are. That your gut instinct lives inside you for a reason. That playing the same song on repeat does not make people judge you. And singing in the shower is cool. That the wrinkles in your brain symbolize knowledge.
That you are not your parents' mistakes, nor are you the shortcomings of every generation before you. That its not worth it to straighten your hair everyday. That it's okay not to like haunted houses or roller coasters. To always take your medication even if it makes you vomit. And that other times it is not okay to vomit. And that gaining weight isn't a bad thing.
Living in the moment is the only way to live. To never think about death or what happens after it in bed. That it's okay to stay stuck on a person. That you should never be embarrassed to talk too much about your crush. That sometimes the best dates are the simple ones. Never sleep on the couch in the basement two days in a row. Throw out the empty water bottles you sleep next to. Always keep a wish list, even if you never buy anything on it. Every selfie is a memory not a waste of time.
That despite what mom says it's okay to take a break from the world. That coffee breath does not ruin a kiss. White eye shadow is not for you, try a sparkly brown. And most importantly, I'd say you did just fine.
