Friday, September 7, 2012

A letter to my 15 year old self


Dear Fifteen Year Old Me,

It’s been 11 years since I’ve seen you. If we were to meet face to face, eyes to eyes, would you recognize me? Would you know it was you by the hurt buried deep inside me?

There are so many things I want to say to you. Fears I want to stamp out, and confidence I want to instill in you. Advice I want to plant inside of you, to grow from a seed into a tree more solid than any foundation you could create on your own. Holding you up and keeping you ever moving towards the sky.

Anyone you are putting your efforts and time into, stop. The man you’ve been seeing will continue to bring you heartache and more pain than you should have to bear. Heartache is what’s going to shape you into the person you become, me. He will feed you lies until the only thing you can feel is the cold numbing sensation as if your limbs were always asleep, trying to wake up from a dream. You will save yourself hours of crying, and feeling worthless if you end things now, before they get to toxic. While you are at it, pick up that phone and call the authorities.

Don’t worry about those that can’t muster up a kind word toward you, or make you feel inferior. It’s just High School, and that’s how others feeling the same way you do act out. In 10 years, oh wait, 5 years most of them will have gained 50lbs and had 3 children.

You are beautiful. Look inward for the strength you need to get through the obstacles that will come toward you in this life. Realize your self worth before you knock your self-esteem so low you’ll look for attention in those that aren’t worth yours.

Snatch up the opportunity for every adventure that lays itself at your feet, but do not sell yourself short. For oh what adventures you will have! Look at every turn as a chance to explore, learn, and grow into who you are and who you will become.

Never stop being strong, independent, and fearless. There are people in this world that will try to take that away from you. With their words, their actions, they’ll try to strip all that makes you stand tall, and stand out away. Don’t put away those fishnets for anyone.

Paint, draw and sketch until your fingers bleed. Don’t be afraid of mistakes, or what others will say. You have a creative storm inside you, don’t you dare try to calm it when the waters get rough.

Read your heart out. And when your heart is out, swallow it and read some more.

I know it’s hard. Every day you feel the hole inside your chest growing, and you can’t find answers to who you are or what you want to do with what’s ahead of you. You may never lose that unsure feeling, but love yourself and trust in what you know to be real.

When no one else will give you the support you need, remember this seed inside of you, grow towards the sky. Ever upwards.

Much love,

Your 26 year old self

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