We all go through changes in life. Most of the time, these changes are out of our control. While, other times, we have the power to control what happens throughout our lives. Regardless of how these changes happen, we have to be strong enough to accept these changes as they come.

Knowing how much I've changed and how much change I've gone through, I've decided to write to the girl I once was growing up...

To the girl I once was,

All through your life, you've been the carefree type, but once you entered high school/college that all kind of changed a bit. You slowly started to care what people thought about you. You acted as if you didn't care and you told people that you didn't. However, you did, deep down you did but you didn't let others know.

I'm here to tell you, it's okay! You ended up playing soccer for your high school, you made friends with people that just might surprise you. Don't question yourself, you've always been the type who follows her gut when it comes to trusting people and certain situations. Yes, you might be wrong sometimes but that's okay.

You've also been the type who always follows her heart, don't ever lose that!

Don't get bent of shape when those people you once called friends are no longer in your life. People drift apart sometimes. You end up making new friends who are different from your old ones as well as different from you, which is good.

Don't hesitate going for that job. It has been the best thing that happened to you, as weird as that sounds. You've come more out of your shyness and you've made friends there. The fact that you've gone to concerts that you might not have gone to without this job is an understatement and going to more in the future.

Don't be afraid of that break up you went through in high school, it led you to the right one. You ended up with someone who treats you well and is there for you no matter what, and get this, he's your best friend. Not someone you thought you actually would date, but did think about and only told very few people. He's been willing to go to the barn with you even though you tell him he doesn't have to go, seeing as dancing isn't his thing. You two are the same in so many ways, you both feel the same about a lot when it comes to relationships. Don't hesitate, ask him out.

Now I do have to say, you make it to college. Here's my advice for you, go for what you want to do. I know being a writer is probably not the best option for people when it comes to the money department. However, when it comes to doing what you love and enjoy doing I say go for it.

Please, don't stay mad at people. Always forgive when needed, even if it doesn't seem like you should it's better for you if you do. Forgiveness is always for you never for the other person. Staying mad is never a good thing for anyone involved. Staying mad will isolate you from everyone and it's not healthy to isolate yourself from people.

Last piece of advice. Open yourself to people, don't keep that guard up. I understand that you've been hurt and you're scared of getting hurt again, but you don't need to be. There are people who will come into your life and prove to you that not everyone's the same. Having your guard up will isolate you as well, but in a different way. You feel like the people around you will hurt at some point which leads you to pushing them away. I know that you don't realize that you do it, but it happens.

You will learn that you should just let go and do you. You have one life to live and you should live your life for yourself no one else. People will give you advice and will want to help you, however, in the end it's what you want to do and what makes you happy. Those who truly love you will understand what you need to do for yourself, even if they might not agree with your decision.

You might not have it all figured out and that's okay, not everyone has it all planned out. I'm still trying to figure myself out and I know we got this, just have to believe.

Sincerely,

Your 22 year old self

P.S. Don't forget to believe in yourself.