Dear my younger and naive self,
I know you love your parents, but you don’t have to believe everything they tell you. You are your own person, and you can make decisions for yourself. Take a look around and make your own judgements about the world. Be observant; don’t let others cover your eyes and walk you through life. Don’t let others bully you into pushing away your true feeling and thoughts, learn to embrace your mind, you’ll be stuck with it for the rest of your life.
During your whole life you’ll be told the evils of the internet, but in reality, you’ll get from it all the knowledge you have on the things you’re passionate about, such as equal rights which adults around you in person won’t educate you on. There’s a good side to everything, but people will try to hide that away from you because either they don’t understand it or they’re afraid of it. Don’t be afraid, accept the truth.
Open mindedness is key. Listen to all ideas, you dont have to agree, don’t let anyone make you think other wise. I know you want to hide away from it, but acknowledge the suffering that is around you. It’s there and it won’t help to ignore it. Speak up. Stick up for yourself and others. You’ll be treated unfairly your whole life and you’re not alone in that. So many people are treated differently for their gender, race, sexuality, etc. And you need to use your big heart to pick up those ones being put down.
Know that you are beautiful. You’ll be pressured to meet standards, but learn to love yourself because none of that matters. It’s all just noise- focus on yourself and what you want to accomplish. Don’t let others make you feel like less than you are. They’ll try to destroy your confidence and successes, but your opinion is the only one that matters. Others don’t have to be proud of you, as long as you have that inner happiness you’ll be set. The boys in your life are NOT better than you because they’re boys. You are strong, smart and funny, no matter what you’re told.
Don’t be upset when someone calls you a liberal or an angry feminist. You have a right to be angry. You have a right to have your own beliefs and be your own person.
Your feelings are always valid. When you’re upset don’t let people say, “it’s probably cause you’re gonna be on your period soon.” No matter what, your feelings count (PMSing or not). It’s okay to cry, emotions are what make us human. You are a human being, not an object for people to toy around with. Respect yourself, you deserve it.
Cut all toxic people out of your life. You don’t need friends that make you feel bad about yourself or that make you feel less than you are. Surround yourself with the right people because your environment can make or break you. The energy you put into the universe will return to you so make sure that it’s positive.
You are loved. You are not anyone else. You’re unique and have the potential to change the world. Don’t let anyone take that away from you.
Love, your future self.
