I’ve seen a few of these things float around Instagram a few times and I thought I’d turn it into a blog post for the next 10 days… So for the next 10 (or so) days, I will be writing a series of letters to myself, my parents, my friends, etc. Starting off day 1 is a letter to me.
Dear Me,
Well 17 years is a pretty long time and you’re still trying to get to know yourself. These past four years had some tough moments, but you somehow perservered through them and treated every day with the same joy and excitement.
You are going off to college soon and its okay to be afraid, I think secretly most people are. You are scared to lose your best friends, and well truth is you might, and you’re scared to admit it. You are scared of leaving your parents and truth is they’re scared of you leaving them. It’s okay to be afraid. It’s okay to be nervous of the unknown. Don’t let your anxiety take over and keep you from being excited about this new adventure in your life. You’re going to have an amazing first year there and you know it, so stop thinking so much into this. Everything will be okay.
You finally realized what makes people angry with you and you’re starting to control it. You’re super defensive and sometimes that’s okay, but I’m glad you’re learning how to control it because it is affecting your relationships with people. Being defensive is a trait of someone who is independent, and sometimes you need to remind yourself its okay to be dependent and ask for help, and advice, and criticism. This will take time to completely control.
You don’t have to try so hard anymore. Your friends love you for you, so you’re welcome to have your own thoughts and actions. You know this already and yet you struggle with it so much. Stop. You’re only hurting yourself.
Cherish these last few months of high school, you’ll be in a different state and time zone next year. Take every moment you have and spend it with the ones you love and surround yourself with positivity and good people. Take the negativity out of your life and just learn to let things go. Stop fighting with the ones you love and take more time out of your day to be with them. Express your thoughts and ideas with them, text them, go to movies with them, go bowling with them, go on as many adventures as you can before you go. These people you live and work with are the ones who shaped you to be who you are now. Take time to thank them.
Just re-stating this, STOP LETTING ANXIETY CONTROL YOU. Take a few deep breaths and just keep moving forward.
Sincerely,
Annabelle
I would love to read this letter to my AP Psychology students. I think what you are expressing is what every American teenager feels. It is amazing how honest you are with yourself. It has taken me decades to be where you are at 17. So proud of you niece!
Go right ahead! Thank you so much!