dear sixteen year old me...

please please listen.
don’t buy magazines,
they make you feel bad.
be comfortable in your own skin,
you can't change who you are,
and why would you want to.

it was a good decision your mother made in not letting you get piercings,
trust her.
listen to your teachers,
you may think it is their job to make you miserable,
but in fact it is just their job to teach.
don't take it personally

love your freckles.
wear sunscreen.

don't cut your hair short.

read more books.
you love them,
but just don't know it yet.
fill your brain.

stop biting your fingernails,
twenty-five year old you would love to be able to grow hers,
if only they were strong enough.

look after yourself.
congratulations on not breaking any bones,
your carefulness on that front has done you good.
watch out for dislocated knees though.

save more money.
save more money.

don't look for the fairytale ending,
it won't happen.
but that’s ok.
but do look for truth,
it is out there.

don't burn your bridges.

you are smart,
don't second guess yourself.
and don't let people put you down because of it.

be kind to your friends,
even when they are annoying and dependent.
people can't always be as strong as you want them to be.
not your problem.

listen to more music.
broaden your horizons.

don't start smoking.
it's stupid.
and twenty-five year old you would be grateful if she hadn't had started getting wrinkles.

look after your body.
it's the only one you have.
in this life anyway.

be respectful.

listen to good advice,
throw away the bad.
it takes a little time to work out which is which.

help your friends through bad times.
people need you, and you need to be there for them.

laugh.
love.
give.
be thankful.

i know you won't read this.
and even if you did you wouldn't listen.
or remember.
but twenty-five year old you...
wants both of us...
to be happy.