we live and learn but none the wiser grow.

[enamoured]

I don't know why I've been thinking this lately, but I figured that I might as well get it all down.

Things That I Wish I Could Tell Myself at Thirteen

1. Absolutely nothing is going to happen at 12:01 A.M. on January 1, 2000. The world's not going to end, the internet will still be intact, everything will be fine. We will still not have flying cars, but that's okay.

2. Yes, you're moving to Texas. I know it sucks. Even now, I still want to pack up and go home, but the truth of it is that nothing stays the same. Just remember when you leave, it's okay to cry.

3. Don't give away all of your picture books. It's okay to keep some things for sentimental reasons. Which leads me to...

4. Just because you're a certain age, it does not make you a teenager, or an adult. There are some things that you will never be too old for, and they include: cartoons, animated movies, catchy pop songs, Blow Pops, stuffed animals, and secretly wishing to be showered with gifts on your birthday.

5. If you like him, kiss him. Trust me, this will prevent mucho angst down the road.

6. Ask Grandma to tell you about herself. Collect these stories and remember them.

7. Just because your friends get new friends, or their interests change, or they get a boyfriend, don't think that they're abandoning you. People grow, people change. Try to accept that and remember that if they are good friends, they will care about you no matter what.

8. Ask. You might get the answer that you need.

9. Get into drama in high school. Join the yearbook staff as soon as you can. Take the harder classes so that you won't feel bored. Work hard. Even though people at whatever school you'll go to have known each other since they were in kindergarten like you knew everyone from Immaculata from the time you were in kindergarten, it doesn't mean that they'll not want to get to know you. You will meet some fun and amazingly cool people there. Just take that opportunity.

10. You are worth knowing. There's a reason why you had so many friends in seventh grade.

11. Keep writing. Keep writing. And don't stop.

12. Ride your bike more.

13. Try to not be easily swayed by boys who are good-looking and seem as if they are actually invested in what you say. Sometimes these guys will just want to be friends but they have no idea that their words are being interpreted differently by you. Sometimes they just enjoy the attention that you're giving them and will say anything to get you to further feed their egos. These guys often have girlfriends, and inevitably they will remind you of that. These guys? Are not worth it.

14. You never forget the things you loved with a passion. That is why you'll never really be able to not listen to the music you liked at thirteen without smiling, even if you later realize it's a little overwrought or cheesy. It's okay. You're not the only one.

15. You won't become an adult overnight. You won't wake up one day with the innate knowledge of how to apply eyeliner and you won't wear heels every day. You won't wake up one morning with the ability to talk to boys without stumbling over your words or making a fool of yourself. You won't know how to properly express your condolences to someone else, and you won't know how to accept rejection gracefully. You won't have all the answers. You will still feel just like you do right now sometimes: confused, scared, completely alone, misunderstood, and like nothing will ever be okay. Eventually, it will. Things will work out. You won't be a girlie-girl, and you may not ever be a "young lady", but being a "lady" is highly subjective anyway.

16. But try to be more organized, really.

17. It doesn't make you crazy, and it can be dealt with.

18. You're going to be fine.

19. You are going to need to get glasses sooner than you think (and that's not a bad thing either).

What do you wish you could tell yourself at thirteen (or, well, yourself ten years ago)?

Comments

[samantha-jey.livejournal.com]

I like this.
5. If you like him, kiss him. Trust me, this will prevent mucho angst down the road.

I would tell myself that it's okay to like your family. Yeah, sometimes they're embarassing, but they are yours, and pretty soon they won't be around every day.

[drapette.livejournal.com]

"High school is going to bore you to death, but please, keep going and studying anyway."

[quidditchkiss.livejournal.com]

I really like this post!