Dear Naive, 16 Year Old Me

My friend Chelsea (nashifeet) posted a letter her boyfriend wrote to his 16 year old self and it really inspired me to write my own. What would you say to your 16 year old self if you could reach them? I think it would be a very reflective experience so here is mine.

Dear Kara,
Don't let life get you down. You're in a transitional period right now and it will end. Although you think it's hard to find yourself at this moment, the journey will forever be changing throughout your life. Be confident in who you are and what you want. You are creative and should embrace your creativity. Don't let people stifle your gifts or make you feel unworthy of attention. Own your body & be happy with what you have since that will be forever changing too. You're a good person and although your maturity is lacking, enjoy all the fun times you are having because it will be these memories that last a lifetime. Cherish your friendships because time & distance will test them. Stick up for what you believe in now because time, society and apathy will leave you jaded as you grow older. That might sound depressing but it's true.


You will meet a special person who will become your best friend and although your feelings might not be romantic at first, take a step back and realize the best relationships start from friendships first. Love will make you laugh & cry, rip you to shreds & build you back up again. Work on your lack of compassion for others that seem unimportant to you and even a few that are important to you, because you never know who will be there for you to lean on. You will make mistakes, some of them being major, but each mistake has led you to where you are at this moment. It hasn't been an easy journey but the road ahead is promising.

Sincerely,
You 9 years later

Public Service Announcement

Hey you... yes YOU! Get over yourself. Stop trying to be someone you're not. Live your life as yourself. Be happy with yourself! There's no reason to starve yourself to fit a standard in society that shouldn't even exist. No one is perfect. Curves are sexy, bones are not. Don't eat your feelings. Obesity isn't a joke. Being healthy doesn't mean being 100lbs. Don't do drugs to fit in. Real friends like you for who you are, if they don't, they aren't your friends. You look like an idiot. Mothers, be a role model. Your kids are watching you. Let's not fake motherhood by making others feel inferior because they don't choose all the same things that you do. Get over yourself. Don't let someone else raise your kids because you are too lazy & immature to handle actual responsibility. Don't blame your problems on other people or past experiences. Fathers, get involved. Your kids want you around, they want your attention & they want your love. Hugs aren't stupid! Grow the fuck up! If your life is a constant hangover you should really take a look in the mirror and try to find yourself. Do you want to remember this ride or blur it out? It's ok to have fun no matter who you are, but there is such a thing called moderation. If you are feeling sorry for yourself just remember, there is ALWAYS someone who has it worse. Get over yourself. FML (or for those who don't know "Fuck My Life") is the stupidest thing I've ever read. If you want to fuck your life doesn't that mean something good? I mean techniquely we're talking about having sex with your life? Right? Your life is so hot you want to have sex with it. That's my new definition for FML. Don't use FML to describe minimal annoyances. Your hair is messy... FML? REALLY? How bout you love your life even if you hair is messy, even if your car is being a piece of shit and even if you tripped on the sidewalk & everyone saw your butt (they probably enjoyed it). I'm sure there are people all around the world who would trade places with you right now. So SHUT UP! I don't think your problems aren't important. I do! Just take a step back and be happy for what you have rather than what you think you deserve. Tough times make us stronger and more appreciative of the good times. The End.

Note: This was NOT written with anyone in mind. All of these examples are generalizations.