A letter to my 16 year old self

There's a book called "Dear Me: A letter to my 16 year old self" by Joseph Galliano. I think its such a sensible idea to write a letter to your teen self and advice her/him. If only you could post it to her, it would make such a difference. Or not. So here's my advice to my 16 year old self.

Dear Me,

I know you are so scared and so new to the college world and you want to impress anyone and everyone around you, but please relax, you are going to make a huge fool out of yourself trying to impress anyone living. Be yourself even if it feels really hard to do so. You will meet better people by being yourself and by not trying so hard. 

Surrounding yourself with people you really don't like just to belong is not going to make you any happier. Retain your individuality. That's whats going to set you apart in this world.

Don't be so self conscious about yourself. You may be right in thinking some people are going to make fun of you for having flaws, but those are unoriginal people and really don't matter much. In fact, you will not be in touch with most of them and will laugh(internally) at their stupidity when you grow older. Its normal to be different.

Don't be so inspired by the fashion you see in those movies! They may seem cool on screen, but believe me, they will look horrendous when you wear them! But even if you do make your share of fashion mistakes, its OK! You don't have to be so hard on yourself and feel like fading into the darkness. Its just normal at your age to experiment. You are going to learn from the mistakes you do now. 

I know you like that really cute guy and I know you think he likes you back and you can't help but feel like dying of humiliation when you do stupid and honestly out-of-your-control things in front of him! But its OK. you are just a teenager and its quite ok to have a crush, there's absolutely nothing wrong with you.

And NO! you are not in love! I know it feels like that to you now but trust me, its just part of being a teenager. So don't feel broken hearted every time something unexpected happens. You'll go on to find the right guy in a few years with whom you can completely be yourself and who will love you for you. 

Please pay attention to your studies, I know right now you feel like that is the last thing anyone wants to do. But its not. Don't let all the distractions of your new life distract you. Believe me, no one will be more crestfallen than you when you get bad marks. Its just not you. 

Please don't use your cell phone as a journal, its just very humiliating to have it falling into wrong hands.  

And lastly, even if this letter never reaches you its okay. You'll turn out just fine. Your mistakes will make you who your are in your future. Lots of hugs and kisses to you! Mwah.