A Letter to My Younger Self

Dear Younger Brittany,

There are so many things I'd love to tell you, pieces of advice to help you through the next few years, but all of them can be summed up pretty succinctly in three words: Hang in there.

I know what you're going through. I know because I lived through it myself. You should know, though, that you're doing the best you can. You should be proud of yourself. You should know that it's going to be okay.

I'm not going to pretend that I have all the answers just because I'm older than you. There are still so many things I'm trying to navigate, hard decisions I'm trying to make, and truth be told, I don't feel any wiser than you feel right now. But, hindsight is a luxury you don't have, so here are some things to keep in mind for the next few years:

- Have fun. I know you're super preoccupied with schoolwork (and that's a really great thing), but relax sometimes. Go out with your friends more. Don't be so hard on yourself when you get something less than an A+. You'll be amazed how little that one calculus class matters in the long run.

- Push yourself. Do something out of your comfort zone. The things you'll regret the most when you're my age are things you chose not to do out of fear. Find another piano teacher. Try out for that singing group in college. Skip class once or twice. Talk to that guy. Work out in front of those people at the rec. You'll be a better version of yourself for it.

- The perfect guy is coming. In the meantime, your heart is going to be broken...a lot. You're going to cry so many tears. You're going to keep your best friend up all night, worrying that you'll be alone forever. You will think you found Mr. Right a couple times, but you'll be wrong. It's easier said than done, but try not to worry too much about it. You'll meet him soon and he's better than you could have ever imagined.

He's hot, right?! Way to go, self!

- Maintain your relationships. The thing that makes me most sad looking back on my life is the amount of good friends that have drifted away. It's amazing how much work it takes to maintain a friendship, especially at a distance, but it's worth it. So, call, text, or send a message when you're thinking about someone. On the other hand, however, it's important to realize that some people fade from your life for a reason. They were important pieces of the puzzle and undoubtedly enriched your life in some way, but it's okay to let them go. You're better for having known them.

- You're beautiful. You're smart. You're funny. Most importantly, you're kind. You are truly worth the love you receive. I know you spend a lot of time doubting these things, but they're true. I still have plenty of moments of self-doubt, but don't lose sight of who you are. You'll never be skinny, you'll never get attention from guys, and you'll never figure out how to curl your hair, but you will eventually come to realize your worth. I promise.

- Life isn't going to work out how you thought it would. Despite what everyone tells you, you can't actually achieve whatever you want. Sometimes you put in all the work necessary and it just doesn't work out...and that's okay. Some things are simply out of your control. Work hard and pursue your passions, but don't get discouraged when things aren't picture-perfect. You'll find ways to be happy, regardless.

So, like I said, hang in there. At the risk of sounding like a Pinterest quote board (oh, you don't know what Pinterest is yet? You're in for a real treat), your life isn't easy, but it's definitely worth it.

All my love,

Brittany

P.S. That blog you're thinking about starting? Do it.