Looking back on the past, there are definitely things that I wish I knew back then. It would have benefited me greatly, but sometimes that’s just not how life works.
Dear 15-year-old me,
Right now, you are probably in your room listening to music or sitting on the couch watching television. Instead of doing this, please go outside. Go out and run around on the farm, because I promise you, it won’t be there forever. You will regret not getting outside more and spending more time with your family. Time flies by, and you can never get it back, so please go make the most of it.
With that being said, stop wishing away your childhood. It looks cool to be an adult, but it really isn’t. Life isn’t quite as simple anymore. You now have a bunch of responsibilities, and you have to deal with a lot more people. You land up with bills, and you have a set schedule you have to follow more than you want to. There isn’t time for random naps and random trips to the refrigerator, so stop wishing all this time away.
I encourage you to use this time instead to go after the things you want. If you want a position in one of your clubs, go for it. If you want to become friends at a new school, go for it. If you decide to change your plans about the future, still go for it. Things like these will be extremely scary for you, but always remember, don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game. The only bad thing that can happen is it doesn’t work out, which honestly won’t even be the worst that could occur.
You will also experience heartbreak; however, I promise you will make it through. It will not be easy, and you’ll probably find yourself hugging a pillow and crying all night for a few nights, but once you get past that, I promise it becomes easier. As the days go by, you tend to forget what even happened, and although you’ll never forget their name or the pain they have caused, you will be able to hold your head up high and say that you were strong enough to get through it.
This strength will be found by being around those that love you. You will have some toxic people in your life, and it will take some time before you decide that you no longer need them -- the sooner, the better. It will break your heart; however, leaving these people in the past will only help your future in the long run, even if you don’t see it.
I know these next few years will not be easy for you, but you just need to stick it out long enough, and then you will be on your way to experience the next four years of your life at college. Do not wish for this time to come any quicker than it already is, because it will hit you like a freight train that came out of nowhere. Also, stick by those that support you, and leave those behind that do not. Always remember where you came from, but never lose sight of where you are going. You will definitely be climbing some mountains, so I’ll see you on the other side.
Sincerely,
T
