A Letter

Dear the 14 year old me,

It's not you, it's everybody else.

You are full of so much potential, and there is no reason to change for anybody. Not even the cute boy in your metal shop class.

So what you like musicals and you didn't make the cheer leading squad? You are still awesome. If you don't mind me giving you a word or two of advice; the way other's see you, isn't going to matter if it changes the way you see yourself.

Being a teenager is hard. Like, really hard. Trust me I know.

But it's also hard being an adult, looking back, and realizing you were always in such a rush to grow up; it's like you never really had the chance to experience what being a teen is all about.

I try not to regret anything that has happened in life, but a huge one for me is caring too much about what others thought.

Nobody feels completely accepted in junior high and high school. And the people who do, never really leave that school behind. So, you tell me - which is worse?

A big part of growing up is making mistakes and screwing up.
Let me rephrase that...
A HUGE part of growing up is making mistakes and screwing up.

Nobody is perfect.

Another helpful hint: Be nicer to your family, especially Mom.

When you were born, she looked down into your eyes and was proud to call you hers. Don't make her second guess that first thought. She loves you more than you will ever understand, and yelling at her about everything won't fix anything. It will just tear a temporary hole in the best friendship you will ever have.

That goes for the rest of your family too. Be nicer to them. They are the only family you get, and they deserve the best.

And for heaven's sake! Please don't belittle your intelligence. There is never a good reason to pretend to be uneducated. You're smart. Don't let other people convince you you're not.

Not all blondes have to be dumb.

But.. my biggest word of caution is about boys. Yes, boys.

Don't be to eager for that first kiss, first make out, first boyfriend, first anything. 

You have plenty of time to focus on that later on in life, and trust me when I say that 15 year old boys are not the greatest kissers. It gets much better once you get older. It's worth waiting for.

Boys in junior high are dumb. They always have, and always will be.

It's a law of nature.

And only a select few of them grow out of that by the time they graduate high school, so don't set your hopes too high.

Remember to focus of life at it's present time. You never get to relive that moment again, so take full advantage of it. Make your parent's proud to call you their daughter. Don't give them reasons to not trust you.

With much love from the future.
xoxo.