Just remember to be yourself.
Believe in who you are.
That you don't need to be like her. Or her. Or even her. You have as much to offer as they do. Maybe more. And what's so bad about that girl. The one over there. The one everyone seems to be avoiding. She's just being herself. Just wanting what we all want. Friendship. Go talk to her. She will appreciate your kindness.
It's not about popularity, but rather about integrity. So, just be you.
Speak up. Talk. It's not hard at all. Just ask questions. People like to answer what they know. So ask them about them. Their life. And fit in your life stories. When you can. When there is a break in conversation. They want to get to know you, too. They do.
Go out. Enjoy hanging out with people. Stop worrying about what everyone is thinking. Who cares.
No one, really.
All the downs will make the ups so much more rewarding. Remember that. Life is a series of lessons. Lessons to help mold who you will grow up to be.
A person who cares about others. About life. A person who is a realist. Someone who knows anything can happen anytime. Anywhere. To anyone.
So simply enjoy your youth. Laugh. A lot. Out loud. For the world to see. To experience.
Fall into bed each night knowing, there is so much more to life. Than being an insecure young girl.
Blogging For Fun (BFF) contribution. #157: a letter to my 16 year old self
Nice advice and kind fun, didn't you think?
ReplyDeleteHi Jo. Thanks. Life really is about learning from your pat, good and bad.
DeleteOPPS! From your PAST!
DeleteFantastic d~ I enjoyed the glimpses :-)
ReplyDeletethanks, november.... and i am enjoying yours.
DeleteOh, if we had known then what we know now...the ride probably would have been smoother but hey prob not as fun in the long run!
ReplyDeletejen, isn't that the truth.. and really, i probably wouldn't be who i am today if everything went my way...
DeleteI'd like to have known at sixteen that other kids had the same uncertainties.
ReplyDeleteright? kelly... i sure wish i would have thought about that too... everyone has them, yet we seem to focus on ourselves. letting those uncertainties get in the way... letting them diminish who we are.
DeleteThis is terrific! I love your advice and wish I could have known to follow it when I was 16.
ReplyDeletethank you, jennifer. i, too, wish advice was given to me long ago. i will say i am making it up now, raising my own kids, to think about these things. to accept others as they are, not as who we want them to be.
DeleteI love the part where you encourage your younger self to seek out the girl no one likes. In looking back, those girls who hung back and were not popular turned into terrific adults. I believe in giving people a chance and wish I had thought that way in my youth instead of being so judgmental. Awesome letter to yourself!
ReplyDeletedarlene. yep, i wish i could go back and make more of an impact on those underdogs. i think my teen years would have been so much more rewarding. thanks for the compliment.
DeleteI loved this!! You kept it real--I like real! Cheers, Jenn
ReplyDeletehi jenn. real is definitely my thing. just be. without judgement. that's what i prefer. thank you for reading.
DeleteI needed this advice when I was 16...and 17...and probably 20. Nicely stated!
ReplyDeleteyeah, Amy... life is full of needful advice. that's for sure. 16 is a difficult year for many, but you are right.. advice is needed as various stages, depending where you're at. thanks for reading.
DeleteIf only we had the insight at the time hey? You'd have been the most well-adjusted 16 year old in history! x
ReplyDeletePS What comment system are you using? The reply function is great!
oh, yes, mum, a well adjusted 16 year old. nice! not sure about the comment system. it's new, and i am not sure why... a new google thing... i like it.. so much easier to respond to people.
DeleteI loved this ~ so true how there were always those girls who we admired more than our own self at that age...I still struggle alot with self-esteem now, but am slowly starting to accept myself for who I am...
ReplyDeleteI love the positivity and hope you give in this post...If I was a 16yr old reading this, I would feel inspired and excited about the future ahead of me :o) Great idea too!
hi chantelle. when i graduated HS and was sitting, one day, in the food court while on a break between college courses, some of those ultra popular girls were at a far off corner table, seemingly unsure what to do. they were now out of their comfort zone and weren't sure how to handle it. i had an 'ah, ha' moment seeing them there, realizing they feel just like i did. so, on the outside you see one thing, but it's what's on the inside that is important.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could read this when I was 16 yo.
ReplyDelete"enjoy your youth" - need to keep this in mind
actually this one from Armani is darker because it gets darker after applying it
if only we knew what we know now.... thank goodness life is full of lessons...
DeleteIf I could send a letter back to myself when I was 16 I would be rich with the girl of my dreams on a boat going isle to isle.
ReplyDeletehi bragondorn... ah, what a great dream... yeah, me too, i would have way more money and a home with an ocean view... i would have definitely NOT bought so many frivolous things and saved, saved, saved....
Deletewell, (at least i married the guy i was meant too :D)
If only we knew then... great post! :)
ReplyDelete