Dear 16-Year-Old Me,

I know things suck. I know high school is lame, and I know you really want to get out of there. Don't worry, you do eventually. And things rock after high school, they really do. But until then, here are some things I want to let you know, from me to you, or me, I don't know but here we go.

1. You're not fat.

Trust me, you are the skinniest you'll ever be and in a few years you'll look back and wish you looked how you do know. Also, in a few years it'll matter less to you ,and you'll realize your weight isn't the most important thing in the world and you'll be much happier for that realization. So, just chill out a little.

Buy a bigger size that fits you better instead of trying to squeeze into a size two and hating yourself. You're not a size two, move on and love yourself for what your body can do. Once you do this, you'll have much more respect for yourself and the small minded and judgmental way you view physical appearance will change for the better.

2. Don't try to be friends with everyone.

That group of kids? You never win them over. They never let you into their clique. And for a brief period in which they do you become really annoying and spend too much on clothes made through slave labor overseas. So give up now and try to find people that appreciate you for who you really are.

3. Learn Spanish.

Please, get on this. Your future self will literally thank you.

4. Dude. You are a feminist.

Stop hiding it and get to work. In a few years a misogynist is going to be the president of the United States so you really ought to get behind the obvious disparities you see now and fight against it. I get that people look down on you and expect you to cut all your hair off and burn some bras (also, there's nothing wrong with people like that, don't let people push you into a box), but you can be whatever you want and you are a feminist.

In three years you'll be okay with this and it will open so many opportunities and so many conversations, so go ahead and start embracing it now and working towards creating understanding about feminism. Every time you rise to a place of power and someone dislikes you, they are going to attack your appearance because that is the climate that exists for women in this time period. Fight it. Really fight it.

5. You don't fail high school, you do great.

You make it. You learn so much and your life gets so much better. You graduate and move to college and make so many friends. You finally feel okay about life. You go through a lot in between, but you make it. So, hang in there. You can do it. You become the person you always wanted to be and you wake up everyday feeling empowered and emboldened and ready to grow into a better person.

There are so many things you will endure, and I'm sorry that life is hard right now, but you can do it. Also, love people more. Talk to your mom more; she's there for you. Stand up to the people who are mean to you and who are mean to others. Even if it gets worse, you won't regret it.

Overall, I just want you to know that everything that has happened and everything that will happen matters. It shapes you. It makes you into the person you have wanted to become. Oh, and you go to Asia and do some fun traveling eventually. It's cool.

Hang in there.

Love,

Grown-Up Me