College is a wonderful adventure. But as we think back to every step we took to get here, we recall all those good memories… and the not-so-good ones. Remember when you were sixteen? In retrospect, we knew nothing about life. When remembering those sixteen candles, we remember high school halls, cute first boyfriends, all those friends… Often enough, someone will ask you: If you had the chance to start over knowing everything you know now, would you? Unfortunately, this isn’t a reality. But if we could, here’s an open letter to leave behind to yourself at sixteen:
Dear 16-year-old Me:
It’s okay to not to know what you want to do with your life or what kind of girl you are. You’re barely getting started. Trust me; it’s completely normal. As of right now, you couldn’t have possibly decided for sure what you want to do with my life. You can’t expect to know who you are at sixteen, so don’t over stress yourself with this. With enough time and interesting college classes, it will eventually come around.
You know all those girls you are constantly trying to impress at school so you can be cool, but never seemed to befriend? Never mind them, it’s okay to be different. Besides, you don’t want to waste your time with people who invest their lives in spreading rumors. Also, it’s okay to like things your friends don’t like, or to dress differently way or look unconventional. It’s okay to be you, whoever you are.
Reading is fun, and you should do it more often. You’ll get lost in worlds you never knew existed, meet interesting people you’d never imagine could be, expand your emotional range beyond your wildest dreams… and, hey, you’ll build up your SAT Vocabulary words while you’re at it. Besides, you’ll thank me when you get to college, trust me. You’ll learn more this way, and then in college you won’t be so stressed out with the idea of a long lectures and novels. Step out of your comfort zone! Things are much more interesting when you’re dancing around it. You’ll meet new people and you’ll try things you never dreamed of. Go up and talk to that boy you have a crush on, apply for the job you’ve always wanted, try that dance class that looks so fun, try out for the school musical! Don’t look down on yourself; you never know what could happen until you try.
So you don’t have a boyfriend? Please, girl! Don’t worry about that. You think guys don’t like you? Chill. Your time will come. Being in a relationship should come naturally, not because you feel pressured. Also, college relationships are more mature and much different than high school ones. There’s less drama, too.
But if you had a boyfriend who broke your heart, I’ll assure you it isn’t the end of the world. You’re allowed to cry for about two nights so you can channel all the hurt, but don’t take it too seriously. Trust me; someday someone will love you for exactly who you are. Go out, meet a bunch of new boys and have fun. High school boys are stupid and have cooties, anyway.
Don’t compare yourself to other girls. Maybe you weren’t made to fit the mold. But trust me when I tell you that there’s is no one better at being you than you. You’re beautiful just the way you are, don’t ever doubt it. Your lovely little imperfections make you the most genuine and perfect girl there can be.
Now, pay close attention to this next few sentences. Don’t be in a hurry to grow up. Why waste those precious teenage years in complicated things that are still so far away? Besides, being a grown-up where you have to cook for yourself and pay bills sucks. I wish I could go to Crayolas and Barbie dolls. Life has its funny ups-and-downs. So please, don’t think every little obstacle you encounter is the end of the world. Life gets better, soon enough you’ll see that. When you’re a teenager, you’re meant to have rollercoaster feelings. So just sit back and enjoy the ride as best you can.
Take life as it may come, live it one day at a time and don’t forget to breathe. You are, after all, human. Learn how to let go of the things that hurt you and how to seek strength in those things that inspire you. Your brittle bones can only withstand so much, but your spirit cannot be crushed as easily.
P.S. Go take another look in the mirror. I don’t think that outfit is really working for you. Loving the hair, though.
HCXO,Me