Dear (younger-firmer-idealistic yet already jaded) Me, ....
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I can’t believe it’s been 11 years. You’ll never believe everything that has happened and where you are now. I’m not going to tell you because you would cry and I hated crying even then. Don’t worry though, nothing has happened that can’t be fixed with a few corrections on your part. ....
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Stop doing drugs and drinking. I know that you can handle it, you’ll be okay but the people it will bring into your life in the next few years won’t be good for you. By drugs I also mean the Vicodin and pain pills. Just because a doctor prescribes them doesn’t make them healthy. ....
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Don’t let ----- cheat on you!Seriously don’t do it, I don’t care if it is just a few kisses with a few women, just don’t okay? You’ll wonder what you missed out on for the next ten years even if you know nothing would have came of it anyway. Watch how it plays out before you let it happen. ....
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When you meet any boy/man named Robert, Edward, Sam,Roger,Ricky,Kevin , any variation of the name Michael...well let’s face it, any boy at all who you kinda, sorta like.....RUN!!! Run as far away as you can and don’t look back. They are bad news, trust me. Until you meet one who doesn’t make you feel sorry for them or bad about yourself for being with them then you need to leave the boys alone. ....
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Go to school. Quit bitching about getting up early and staying out of school for no reason at all. You LIKE school, dumbass and at this point in your adolescence it is just about your one saving grace. When you’re older you’ll get it, for now just fucking go and quit wasting time. ....
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Tell on ----- when she stops eating and when she starts having unprotected sex. It will save a lot of people years of unhappiness if you just never, ever encourage her to have sex. Not everyone is like you when it comes to that and the sooner you learn that, the better. Tell her it’s awful and it hurts, she’ll listen to you when she won’t listen to anyone else. ....
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Stop hating Mom. She is doing the best she can and you know it, you just don’t want to admit it. . ....
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Even when you ignore every bit of that advice, like I know you will, take this little bit of knowledge and cling to it tightly. You are awesome and don’t let anyone tell you different. You are never going to be perfect so quit trying. Quit trying to be what everyone needs you to be. Quit being so snotty and self centered. Quit trying to grow up so fucking fast. You honestly have no idea what you are giving up right now and I cry when I think about it. You are socially awkward but in a few short years that will be the “in” thing to be so just embrace it, you are a pioneer not an outcast. Don’t hate, it’s unproductive and don’t plot your revenge, they’ll all get what’s coming to them anyway. Be yourself, completely and without regret and absolutely the most important advice that I have to give that you won’t take....don’t worry, be happy. ....
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Love, ....
(older-wider-wiser-slightly less dysfunctional) Me