A Letter to my 16 Year Old Self
Dear 16-Year Old Self,
Wow! I don't want to scare you or get you too excited, but I don't think you have a clue about what is in store for you in the next decade. I won't spoil all the fun, but I will tell you three of the most important things: 1) these experiences will shape your life in large but discreet ways you won't notice until one day the changes dawn on you like a name you'd been trying to remember for days; 2) RELAX - you will learn to do this anyways, but you'll save yourself a few rough years if you start now; and 3) always, always, always wax your eyebrows - you just can't pull off the unkempt eyebrows look.
That being said, I want to spend some time telling you what you will learn over the next ten years. Maybe you can pick up on this stuff and teach me a few things down the road.
On Life: You do not have all the answers. If you did, you probably wouldn't be here anymore. You will face some rough roads along the way but I PROMISE you you will laugh about them all eventually. Cherish your need for independence as it will help you figure out the answers to life's questions. Always remember that everyone else is facing a tougher battle at one point or another. Please stop using words like "gay" and "retard" to negatively describe someone or something- they will become some of the most hurtful (and personal) words you have ever heard.
On Friendship: The length of time you know someone does not equal the value of their friendship. Friends will come and go in the coming years, but you will develop strong and powerful bonds. You will find friends who are just as weird (if not weirder) than you are. Being different from a friend, or having a disagreement does not end a friendship, it just deepens its bonds. Remember, though, that your strongest friendship must be with yourself.
On College: Although you aren't thrilled to go, college will be the BEST four years of your life without question. You will do things that are completely beyond your current self. Work hard early so you can party later, but please try to do so with less anxiety. Don't EVER feel bad to enjoy yourself, but please remember to be smart. I am going to spoil one thing: you will meet some people who are the bomb dot com and you will recognize and celebrate this. And ALWAYS read the book. The professors lie when they say they won't test you on things in the book (do any of them actually say that or do we all just make that up in our minds?)
On Faith: It's ok. You can stop pretending. All the people close to you know you're not religious and they still love you. Organized religion isn't for you, and that is ok. Just remember that in your religion it's most important to be kind and not forget your moral conscience.
On Family: It will take time but you will finally learn that parents, aunts, uncles, grandmas, etc are people too. They are not perfect. There will be good times and bad, but you WILL get through it. Your mom will become your best friend, you will become your dad, and hanging out with your brother and sister will be way more fun than when you had to spend time together growing up. And yes, feeling protective over your cousins is the right feeling to have. Act on it when necessary.
On Love and Relationships: You're a late bloomer and there is nothing wrong with that (not that you thought there was). You're not weird because you don't do relationships and you will meet a ton of people who confirm this, love this about you, and are the exact same way. Have fun with boys in college, but own it and don't take shit about it from those ready to judge you. Pretty please don't find out about sexting and the like until senior year in college when you have no interest in doing such foolish things; it will turn out to be a terrible trend for women. It's probably hard to believe, but you will fall in love and it will be with someone you've known for years (and always liked...but I won't spoil anything more for you).
On YOU: YOU ARE AWESOME. You have turned into a great person (for the most part). You have a contagious sense of humor, and can hold your own in a battle of wit. You will develop a sassy side, which you are to use when necessary but with caution. Your life will fall into place despite many things you have not planned for. You will meet other people with anxiety and you will learn that what you feel is anxiety and IT WILL CHANGE YOU. RELAX AND LAUGH. You'll learn this in a few years anyways, but life is so much more fun when you do. And lastly, YOU ARE HOT. You have a rocking bod and enough confidence to fill a room. OWN IT AND ENJOY IT.
Love,
Your Current Self
Wow! I don't want to scare you or get you too excited, but I don't think you have a clue about what is in store for you in the next decade. I won't spoil all the fun, but I will tell you three of the most important things: 1) these experiences will shape your life in large but discreet ways you won't notice until one day the changes dawn on you like a name you'd been trying to remember for days; 2) RELAX - you will learn to do this anyways, but you'll save yourself a few rough years if you start now; and 3) always, always, always wax your eyebrows - you just can't pull off the unkempt eyebrows look.
That being said, I want to spend some time telling you what you will learn over the next ten years. Maybe you can pick up on this stuff and teach me a few things down the road.
On Life: You do not have all the answers. If you did, you probably wouldn't be here anymore. You will face some rough roads along the way but I PROMISE you you will laugh about them all eventually. Cherish your need for independence as it will help you figure out the answers to life's questions. Always remember that everyone else is facing a tougher battle at one point or another. Please stop using words like "gay" and "retard" to negatively describe someone or something- they will become some of the most hurtful (and personal) words you have ever heard.
On Friendship: The length of time you know someone does not equal the value of their friendship. Friends will come and go in the coming years, but you will develop strong and powerful bonds. You will find friends who are just as weird (if not weirder) than you are. Being different from a friend, or having a disagreement does not end a friendship, it just deepens its bonds. Remember, though, that your strongest friendship must be with yourself.
On College: Although you aren't thrilled to go, college will be the BEST four years of your life without question. You will do things that are completely beyond your current self. Work hard early so you can party later, but please try to do so with less anxiety. Don't EVER feel bad to enjoy yourself, but please remember to be smart. I am going to spoil one thing: you will meet some people who are the bomb dot com and you will recognize and celebrate this. And ALWAYS read the book. The professors lie when they say they won't test you on things in the book (do any of them actually say that or do we all just make that up in our minds?)
On Faith: It's ok. You can stop pretending. All the people close to you know you're not religious and they still love you. Organized religion isn't for you, and that is ok. Just remember that in your religion it's most important to be kind and not forget your moral conscience.
On Family: It will take time but you will finally learn that parents, aunts, uncles, grandmas, etc are people too. They are not perfect. There will be good times and bad, but you WILL get through it. Your mom will become your best friend, you will become your dad, and hanging out with your brother and sister will be way more fun than when you had to spend time together growing up. And yes, feeling protective over your cousins is the right feeling to have. Act on it when necessary.
On Love and Relationships: You're a late bloomer and there is nothing wrong with that (not that you thought there was). You're not weird because you don't do relationships and you will meet a ton of people who confirm this, love this about you, and are the exact same way. Have fun with boys in college, but own it and don't take shit about it from those ready to judge you. Pretty please don't find out about sexting and the like until senior year in college when you have no interest in doing such foolish things; it will turn out to be a terrible trend for women. It's probably hard to believe, but you will fall in love and it will be with someone you've known for years (and always liked...but I won't spoil anything more for you).
On YOU: YOU ARE AWESOME. You have turned into a great person (for the most part). You have a contagious sense of humor, and can hold your own in a battle of wit. You will develop a sassy side, which you are to use when necessary but with caution. Your life will fall into place despite many things you have not planned for. You will meet other people with anxiety and you will learn that what you feel is anxiety and IT WILL CHANGE YOU. RELAX AND LAUGH. You'll learn this in a few years anyways, but life is so much more fun when you do. And lastly, YOU ARE HOT. You have a rocking bod and enough confidence to fill a room. OWN IT AND ENJOY IT.
Love,
Your Current Self