Hey me. That sounds weird doesn’t it? I know times are tough and high school is brutal but I have a few things I want to tell you about your transition into adulthood. Right now you’re probably frustrated with our parents or upset because you didn’t get to go to that really cool party everyone is talking about, but guess what… Everything slowly gets better from this point. There are a few things I would like to tell you before you write off this article and go about scrolling through twitter or comparing likes on Instagram.

You think you’re grown up now? Now you’re paying bills and taking care of a dog on your own! Granted, you have a little help from your parents, but you can hold your own. It isn’t that bad of a transition once you understand how to work the washer and dryer. Try not to eat out so much because that’s how you gain the lovely “baby weight” back. As for cleaning, it doesn’t magically happen while you’re at school, you unfortunately, have to do it.

Don’t let the little things get to you. As big as that party was you missed the other night, it’s not as big of a deal as you’re making it. Yes, a ton of people were there and yes, you maybe missed an inside joke or two between your best friends, but it’s not the end of the world. Letting issues get to you will only fuel a fire and when you get older you will realize how insignificant they are in the big picture.

Always stand up for what you believe in. Looking back sometimes, I think about how more often than not, I should have stood up for what I believed was right. Don’t let the world influence your behaviors towards others. You know right from wrong, so always make sure you represent yourself in a way you would be proud of when looking back.

Relationships will come and go. Your friends right now are always going to be your high school friends, but when you go to college your college friends will get to know you as the person you’ve grown into. They will know the more mature you while also going through the learning process with you. These are the people you’ll laugh with when you have too much wine or cry with when you have that deep homesick feeling in the pit of your stomach. It will be weird seeing everyone when you come home, but don’t forget to fill them in on how much you missed them.

No matter what, stay true to who you are. You have a stunning heart, and you’ll slowly learn how important your internal beauty is. People see your heart and love you for that above all else. Don’t let the magazine covers or televised fashion shows tell you otherwise. Be you because that’s beautiful.

So cheers to who you are now and who you're slowly becoming! College seems so far away, but I promise it flies by faster than you would like.