{ Dear future self }

• You are going to mess up. Let’s just get that straight right now. You are going to make mistakes and your parents will ground you or you might lose a friend or two, but you will be okay. Your mistakes do not define you. The day will move on and you’ll make it out of the mess you made.
• Always stand up for what you love. You might get judged but do not let that deter you from what you are passionate about.
• When you apologize to someone, actually mean it. If you say you’ll change your actions and behavior, actually do it.
• Stay in shape. Go for a run. Go to the gym. Eat a salad. You’ll love your body because of it.
• YOU DESERVE LOVE. You deserve to be loved. Do not settle for less than you deserve; do not let yourself be screwed over by false love and lies. And chances are, if your friends are telling you that you deserve to be treated better in a relationship, whether it is romantic or platonic, they are correct. You’re not being treated right. Your best friends know what you deserve and can see things you may be blind to. Listen to them.
• You will most likely be involved in a toxic relationship at some point, one that hurts you more than it helps you. You know this feeling well; don’t forget that pain that you once felt and use that to remind you to not let such a toxic relationship in your life again. Though you may love the person you’re in this relationship with, there comes a time when you need to let go or you will be hurt terribly. Try your best to not let this happen again.
• Never judge anyone. Everyone is going through their own struggles that you probably know nothing about. People are flawed and you are no better; you have to love others despite and because of their flaws. As John Green said, “I do not know a perfect person. Only flawed people who are still worth loving.”
• Do not be afraid of new things and adventures and risks. They make the best memories.
• Try not to talk about yourself too much. When someone tells a personal story, focus on them, not on yourself. You’ll seem very self-centered if you only talk about YOUR feelings or opinions or things that YOU have experienced.
• You’re never too old for Disney.
• When it comes to a hard decision, choose what makes you happiest and will bless the most people.
• Keep up with college basketball; when March Madness comes around, get hype for it because it is very exciting.
• “Every day that you wait is a day you’ll never get back again.” (Thanks to Coach Whitey Durham of One Tree Hill for these words of wisdom.)
• Stargaze from rooftops and baseball fields. Whenever you’re driving at night, roll the windows down and blare country music. The world will seem so much simpler.
• Don’t ever be a hypocrite. Mean what you say and don’t go back on a promise.
• “You are more than the things you tell yourself on repeat.” (Shoutout to Hannah Brencher for this quote and for being the greatest writer ever.) Take this to heart. Write it on your hand and read it throughout the day. You are more than the things you tell yourself on repeat. You are more than the things you tell yourself on repeat.
• And finally, drink coffee if it lights up your eyes, listen to the music that everyone else makes fun of, laugh until you cry, and do not let your circumstances take away your joyful spirit.