Dear Claire,
Before you embark on your journey through your teenage years, there are a few things you need to hear.
I know how much it hurts when you don’t feel accepted. But if there’s one thing I want you to know, it’s that you don’t need to change.
Holding back your opinions and true personality won’t reduce conflict, nor will it increase your pool of friends. I want you to share the inner workings of that clockwork mind of yours and be the person you are on the inside. I promise it isn’t as scary as it sounds.
I know you believe that school and reading should be the your top priorities, but I want you to get your head out of the book and take a look at the real world. You don’t get to go back and experience life at your age again, and if you don’t, you will regret it every day.
When it comes to friendships, you are going to have difficulties. People will manipulate you. People will upset you. It’s something that everyone in the world experiences at some point.
But please do not blame yourself. I know you truly believe everything bad that happens is your fault, but don’t bite your tongue. I want you to relentlessly stand up for yourself, no matter who is trying to tear you down.
The sooner you realise that nobody is going to truly know you, the sooner you will be at peace with who you are. All you can do is be the person you are inside without apologies.
Next, remember that there is more to attraction than outer beauty.
I know you think very little of your appearance. I know you think you’re out of proportion and you will never grow any taller, but if you wear your awkward stage with a smile, nobody will notice.
Contrary to your current beliefs, the right kind of men don’t base their overarching opinions on the way women look. Own who you are with every ounce of your being- if they turn away because of who you are on the outside, they aren’t worthy of truly knowing you.
Speaking of which, get your hands off your face. I know your acne is beyond terrible, but picking at your skin is going to make it much, much worse and leave you with scars.
And finally, as time goes on you are going to experience forks in the road, knocks to the head and many, many stumbles. But when those things happen, there is only one thing I want you do to:
Be a kid.
Don’t waste your time trying to grow up too fast. Days, weeks, months, and years will slip by without you realising, and one day you are going to regret not seeing the world through your innocent eyes.
Be courageous, stay true to yourself, and just live.
Claire.
