If I could go back in time, there are so many things that I would like to tell my younger self. Things that I learned through growing up, things I learned the easy and the hard way. If I could go back in time and speak to my younger self, here are 11 of the things that I would say:
1. Be Kind
Do not put others down to make yourself feel better. Bad mouthing someone else doesn't make you better than them, it doesn't make you cooler than them and the "friends" laughing along with you probably aren't friends worth having. Go out of your way to be kind to other people. Warning: I am about to sound extremely cliché. Kill em’ with kindness!
2. You are beautiful
Look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself "you are beautiful." Confidence is everything. Never feel like you need to put yourself down to fit in or compare yourself to other people. Look closely at the qualities you possess on both the inside and the outside, and acknowledge them and be proud of them.
3. Ask for help
You are surrounded by a wonderful family and amazing friends. You do not have to go through everything alone. It is OK to need help sometimes. It does not make you weak. Sometimes asking for help is the bravest thing you can do.
4. You have emotions. It's OK.
You are going to get emotional and that’s OK. I hate to break it to you, but it kind of gets worse with age. Let yourself cry, let yourself scream, let yourself laugh until you cry! Bottling up your emotions will only lead to a bigger melt down!
5. Popularity means nothing
When you look back at your school years, you will think about all the laughs you shared, the activities you did, and the friends you made. I can promise you the lunch table you sat at or the parties you got invited to will mean nothing.
6. Other girls are not the enemy
Embrace girl power! Other girls are not competition and they are not all after the guy you like. If you think another girl is pretty, don't hate her for it; go over to her and complement her! Look out for your fellow girls!
7. Boys are not everything
If the boy you like doesn’t like you it is not the end of the world. Having a boyfriend is not everything. Never compromise who you are to please a boy and never let a boy come between you and your friends and family. If your best friend doesn’t like him, red flag! If your mom doesn’t like him, even bigger red flag!
8. Say Thank You
It never hurts to tell someone “thank you.” Let the people in your life know that you appreciate them.
9. Tell your parents you love them
Your parents give you so much. Everything they do for you they do out of love. No matter how annoyed you may get at them or how big of a fight you get into, never let a day go by without telling them you love them.
10. Follow your heart
Do what makes you happy. At the end of the day, everything you know lies in your heart. Trust your instincts and do what’s right for you.
11. Nothing Lasts Forever
Everything eventually comes to an end. That’s the good and the bad news. All the struggles you will go through will eventually come to an end and it will get better. All of the great times you will go through will eventually come to an end, so be in the moment and never take it for granted.
