This is dedicated to the girl who cares too much.

Dear You,

I understand. I promise you, I understand. You constantly feel as though you care so much for everybody around you, yet at the end of the day, the feelings are never reciprocated.

You feel alone. No matter how many people tell you they love you, they care for you, or that they are there for you, you always feel alone. You feel as though you are misunderstood, taken for granted, and walked all over as if you were a welcome mat.

I. Get. It.

There is, or has been, people in your life you would die for. You have people you would have given anything to if it meant they were going to be happy. You give, give, give, and often times, it is, sadly, taken for granted.

You have a huge heart, and as cliche as it sounds, it truly is both a blessing and a curse.

We live in a generation today that all over social media tries to convince their peers that they do not care about anyone or anything but themselves, and you do not feel that way. You care so much, to the point of literal exhaustion. You care to the point of tears. You cry during lonely nights asking questions such as, "Why don't people like me? Why do I care so much for people who do not care about me?"

Again, I get it. I get it because I, too, am this girl.

Having a big heart in our society is hard. So hard. It hurts, all the time. I know personally, I constantly cannot keep friendships for the world, largely due to the fact I feel like I do not relate to a lot of people my age on matters such as these. This, obviously, makes me insecure in myself and who I am. However, lately, I have been making changes in myself for the better. I am far from perfect, but if you feel any of the things I just listed above, then here are a couple of friendly pieces of advice I can give you.

1) IT IS OK TO CARE.

Having your huge heart is OKAY! I know you feel as if you give and give and your kindness is taken for weakness, and more often than not, it probably is. However, you CANNOT change who you are for other people. Kindness and caring for others are beautiful virtues, and when you possess these things, I PROMISE you radiate a positive light that other people, who matter, will see and be pulled in by.

2) NOT EVERYONE WILL LIKE YOU.

You feel like you are different from your peers, more mature or insightful than them. You want to be liked, God do you want to "fit in" and be liked by everyone you meet. But, you need to come to terms with the fact, right now, that not everyone will like you. No matter how kind, how fun, or how much you care for others, some people will simply just not like you. It's a hard truth, but once you accept it, I promise you will put those insecurities about who you are to rest.

3) NOT EVERYONE IS LIKE YOU.

There are so many people in the world, and you cannot expect everyone to have the same heart as you. There are people like you, who will give until you have nothing left, and there are the people on the opposite side, which will take and take until you have nothing left to give and they move on. Now, not everyone is out to take your kindness for weakness, so do not have that mindset. However, you definitely need to be aware that not everyone will be like you, and that is ok. At the time it may not feel like it is, but I promise you, it is.

4) DO NOT WORRY ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE THINK.

Lastly, and probably most importantly, you do not need to worry about what others think. You will be so much happier this way. When you live everyday being unapologetically you, without the constant worry of what people think of you, you will feel a different sort of freedom. You will be able to wake up and face the day with a confidence that will make you so beautiful without you even knowing it.

So, to the girl who feels like she cares too much, is taken for granted, and just does not "belong", understand right now that you are BEAUTIFUL. It is so cliche to say that, but I promise you are. Coming from a girl who knows EXACTLY what you are feeling at the low moments that nobody else sees, you are beautiful in your own, independent way, and anyone who matters will see that. Anyone who doesn't see that, is simply not worth your time.

Be you. Care so damn much for other people, even if it isn't reciprocated because at the end of the day, you can sit down and know that without your caring heart, the world would be so much different, and if everyone else would care even half as much as you do about other people, the world would be a much better, brighter place.

With Love,

A girl who understands.