I want to write this note to you so that you have the chance to see a few things. I want you to know how wonderful you are. I want you to know that a lot of things are great. And I want you to know that you worry about a lot of really dumb things (though ten years later, things don’t really change with that).

1. Take advantage of not having to drive.

I know, the freedom of having a car or a license seems like the most important, mature thing in the world. Just remember: you have the rest of your life to sit in the driver's seat for hours and hours. You have the rest of your life to pay for gas, oil changes, tires and to replace that thing making the weird rattle noise, which is so important apparently that it costs $400 to replace. Just, don’t be embarrassed to ride backseat with your parents. It’s free. And you can nap back there.

2. Everyone has bad skin.

You are going to get pimples and they are going to make you feel horrible. But, really, so does everyone else. If it isn’t acne, it’s cellulite, or weird hair or something that is “imperfect”. And that’s okay. Everyone has some weird mark or blemish, and be honest; no one every notices their own imperfections except for themselves. I promise, no one cares but you. Except for maybe your dermatologist.

3. Quit straightening your hair so much.

Please, it literally ruins your hair. You have a beautiful natural texture. Also, you will have so much more time in the morning to sleep if you don’t spend 45 minutes in the morning burning your hair. Just like the bad skin thing, in the real world, no one cares if your shoulder length hair is straight.

4. Don’t cut your own hair.

Don’t. It doesn’t ever turn out good. And you will deal with the after math of growing it out for years.

5. Goldfish are not a major food group.

What is it with middle schoolers eating too much junk and calling it ‘growing’? Stop doing that! It’s part of the bad skin thing. You can’t eat pizza everyday for lunch.

6. Like whatever the heck you want.

You are allowed to be interested in weird things. They make you who you are. And, though you probably feel like the minority now, there are many friends to be made because of your love of cats, Japanese cartoons, music and Disney Movies.

7. Boys aren’t the most important thing.

You’re too young and beautiful to worry about what a guy thinks. There is a reason they mature slower than girls. Just, don’t be too concerned with them.

8. Don’t eat Chipotle for four days straight.

You will throw up.

9. You can be creative with your appearance.

If dying your hair is going to make you happy, do it. Quit being so afraid. You look like a badass with your piercings. It’s a complex of personality, I know. Just quit being so afraid.

10. You are your own worst critic.

Which is so ridiculous. You spend too much of your young life pointing out your flaws. And honestly, I think you’re pretty great.