Dear 16-Year-Old Me,

First of all, let me explain myself. Nothing went according to plan. I know you're dreaming of attending Texas A&M, studying engineering, traveling constantly with your fabulous friends and super hot boyfriend, and already having written a novel by the time you turned twenty. But actually, you're at Stephen F. Austin, keeping your career options open (that's code for you still haven't figured it out yet), and wishing you had could spend more quality time with your bed. I promise, though, this is way better than you ever imagined.

My first piece of advice is to stop planning out every second of your life and live it. I know flying by the seat of your pants is hard for you, but once you try it, you'll be hooked. So ditch the five year plan. You're missing out on so much of the good parts of high school because you're too worried about making sure you know what you're going to do as soon as it ends. Take a deep breath and let living come easy. You're going to be fine.

I know things are hard sometimes. You have weeks where it feels like gravity is working overtime and getting out of bed feels like the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest. Thanks for getting out of bed every day, though. I'm proud of you, even if it seems like no one else is. (Spoiler alert: They're proud, too. They just don't know how to express it.)

I know how lonely it feels, lying on your side and watching hour after hour of "Gossip Girl" because it doesn't seem like you have any friends. I know your bed feels a lot like hell when everyone's Facebook is filled with them going on adventures without you. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and ask people to be your friend. Every time you do, you make some pretty fantastic ones. Honestly, I can't wait for you to meet your college best friends. They will teach you what home really is.

It gets overwhelming sometimes, thinking that high school is supposed to be the best days of your life when they suck. Better days are right around the corner, I promise. Some really amazing things happen to you. You get a mustang and kiss a boy all before you turn seventeen, and those aren't even the highlights of your life. Things are bleak right now, but don't give up on yourself. Some really beautiful things happen, and you should alive to see them happen.

Also, you don't have a boyfriend yet... sorry. Honestly, I'm still trying to figure out the confusing fortress that is a boy's mind. When I figure it out, I'll let you know. Maybe 23-year-old us will have boys figured out (But, let's be honest, knowing us, that probably won't happen).

So you're sixteen, and everything feels like the end of the world, but there's a life after all of the crap that is going on around you right now, and it's a great one. So keep your head up, beautiful. It only gets better from here. (Also, throw out your pink Uggs. They're disgusting.)

Love,

Your Future Self