To you,

I know right now that you think you are ten feet tall and bulletproof, but I can assure you that you are far from it. I know that right now you are smiling from ear to ear because you are so naïve. At the gentle age of fourteen, the world seems like your oyster and everything is glittering around you. I know that’s how you feel. Be wary, though. Always have the safety belt on before you take any giant leaps.

I know you will take those leaps, however, and fall. It’s okay. Learn from them. If there’s anything I’ve learned over the years, it’s that every mistake leads to healing in a way that you could never imagine. Date that person. Choose that answer. Spend your time on that thing rather than the other. One mistake does not make you a failure.

Don’t be so hard on yourself. No one is perfect, not even the ones that seem like they have it all together. Those are the people that are actually crumbling under the pressure on their shoulders. No one knows exactly what they are doing ever, so stop feeling alone when you are anxious about something. Everyone around you feels the same way.

One bad grade will not ruin your GPA. I promise you will face much harder challenges than making A’s on all of your tests. It’s okay to take one night off and spend time with friends. You’re going to remember those nights over the good grades anyway. Go make memories.

When the pretty girl with the dark hair and hazel eyes smiles at you, smile back. Learn to love the freckles across her cheeks and her rough hands. Let her love your bumps and bruises. But do not lose yourself in her. Remember that you are better off whole. Do not let yourself drown in anyone else’s love for you. Learn to love yourself because at the end of the day when you can’t stop crying, you’re going to be the one picking yourself up from the shower floor.

Let your best friend know the darkest parts of you. Tell them your fears, your doubts, everything. I promise he will never leave you, even if you end up leaving him for some time. You two always make up and you know that. Cherish the love and friendship you have with this person; do not be afraid to open up to them. They will open up to you in return.

Most of all, have fun. Learn to love your laugh when it’s the loudest one in the room. Learn to love your dance moves when your favorite song comes on and everyone is laughing and dancing with you. Learn to love yourself when you’re loud, when you’re quiet, and everywhere in between. Always remember that self love comes from you. Everything will be okay as long as you have yourself, I promise.

Make mistakes. Breathe. Let every day be an inspiration to grow a little bit more.

All my love,

Your Stronger, Prouder, Future Self.