A NOTE TO MY YOUNGER SELF:
1. Stop caring so much about what people think of you. Care what YOU think of you.
2. Please eat enough each day. Please. Don’t do this to yourself.
3. You’re going to have some amazing moments, and you’re going to meet some amazing people. Hang in there.
4. Don’t stop writing, ever. Please. You’re going to look back and cringe at what you’ve written, but that’s okay.
5. You are going to be sad. You are going to be so devastatingly sad sometimes. That is okay. You will make it through.
6. You are going to be so empty other times. You will struggle to do basic tasks such as showering, laundry, and getting out of bed in the morning. This is not normal, it’s a symptom of depression, and that’s okay. There are meds for that.
7. There are also meds for those panic attacks you’re enduring right now. They work wonders.
8. You’re going to fall in love and it’s not going to be with who you expect.
9. You’re going to get your heart broken. But it works out in the end.
10. Stop letting people walk all over you. Being nice is good, up to a point. You have to stick up for yourself.
11. Take pictures of the sunset or of those flowers or whatever you want. Take pictures and document how you felt at each moment in time.
12. You will never be your sister. You will be you, and that’s good enough.
13. It’s okay to go out of your comfort zone.
14. You are going to find some of the best group of friends you’ve ever had. It might take a little while. Don’t forget to maintain your old friendships too. They’re important.
15. You are allowed to take up space. You are allowed to speak.
16. Don’t go to that party if you don’t want to.
17. It’s okay to be passionate about things. Writing, singing, One Direction, whatever it is. Don’t be embarrassed by what you like.
18. Sleep when you are tired. That extra hour of studying isn’t going to help.
19. Talk to your teachers when you have questions. Don’t sit in silence when you are confused. You have a voice. Use it.
20. Be straight up with how you feel about people. If you don’t like someone, don’t spend time with them. Cut out toxic people.
21. Speaking of being straight – don’t try to be someone you’re not.
22. Also, don’t believe everything your parents tell you – about politics, about life, about people. Come to your own conclusions.
23. It’s going to be okay when your sister leaves home to go to college. You won’t miss her as much as you think you will.
24. Hang in there during freshman year, when you really want to be friends with that boy in your English class. By senior year, he knows you better than almost anyone, and you two have the same music taste.
25. Speaking of boys, that one in your biology class meant it when he said you mattered. He’s one of your best friends now and he’ll support you through everything.
26. You’re going to form a group of strong female friends. You get together once a month and make pasta together. Look forward to that.
27. Stop doubting yourself so much. You are smart. You are beautiful.
28. You are loved.
29. Don’t pretend to like something if you don’t.
30. Zayn is going to leave One Direction. It’s okay to cry about that.
31. You’re always going to be embarrassed about something. Let it go, stop dwelling. If it happened, it happened.
32. Don’t worry so much about your driver’s test. You pass on your first try.
33. Don’t let people make you do things you aren’t comfortable with.
34. Stop biting your nails! And wear your glasses even though you’re insecure about how you look with them on. You need them to see!
35. You’re going to care about things that matter, things that are bigger than yourself.
36. You’re going to be okay.
