I’m participating in the “A Letter To My Teenage Self” writing prompt today, and I hope you will also participate and share yours with me.
Shasta,
Right now, life seems so confusing and, at times, unbearable, and you can’t seem to make sense of it.
You want to please everyone around you, yet it’s impossible.
Your parents love you so much, but you shut them out because you think they don’t understand, and you turn to people that don’t care about you.
They don’t care about you, not because they are bad people, but because they are teenagers and are just as confused about this time in their lives as you are.
Please don’t push your parents away; they will be your best friends one day. One day you will know that they have always loved you more than anyone else could and that they only want what’s best for you.
You are always in so much pain, and while the doctors have assumed you suffer from depression, you are young and one of the most compassionate people I know.
You hurt for others; you hurt for everyone. All of your friends come to you because you will listen to their problems, but you can’t do anything about them, so you bury the pain, and it grows more each day.
You don’t understand why the people you care about have to hurt and why life can be so cruel, but one day it will all make sense.
One day you’ll see that being there for them was what you were meant to do. At the same time, you have to learn to accept that life is hard, and not try to look for a way to flee the pain.
Drugs, alcohol, relationships, cutting…none of that will take away the pain. They only compound the problem because they hurt the people closest to you, which is like a downward spiral for you.
I want to tell you to say in school, you love school, and you’re good at it.
If you quit now, you will always wonder what your life would have been like.
I’d also like to tell you that the guy who works at Burger King and is always flirting with you will one day become your husband. This part is tricky because he will also be your ex-husband.
While many people may say it’s smart to go in another direction, I will tell you that you should let yourself fall in love with him.
He will give you four of the most amazing gifts you will ever receive.
I would also encourage you to enjoy the 12 years you spent with him and not take any of those moments for granted. They will stay with you the rest of your life, even if he does not.
As far as all the other guys telling you they love you and want to spend the rest of their lives with you, their hormonally crazy!
Stay away from those losers.
If you know how to change your perspective, your most significant flaws can be your greatest character traits.
Don’t allow the compassion you feel for others to bring you down. Use it to show those around you how much you care for them.
Don’t let your desire for control cause you to do things in a moment of anger you will always regret.
Instead, use that focus and determination to get you where you want to go. You don’t have to be perfect, and you are not alone.
You are and always will be surrounded by many people who care about you more than you know.
Stay strong, and don’t lose heart. Your teenage years will be over in the blink of an eye.