An open letter to 18 year old me! 

This feels like the most important time in your whole life. It isn’t. Yes it’s important but, stop, take a breath, there are so many years ahead. So many mistakes, so many memories to make, so many tears, so many laughs, so much love ahead of you. It’s exciting.It doesn’t actually matter what happens now, this doesn’t have to be the rest of your life. You are so young right now, who can actually say they made their entire life choices at eighteen years old. The next few years are all about experience, taking risks, experimenting with what makes you happy. It’s about enjoying the here and now, making the most of every moment because it all goes too quickly.

Saying that it’s also ok if you want to spend a whole day in bed. It’s ok to cry for no reason. It’s ok to sit and eat a whole tub of ice cream in one sitting. This is your life. You make the decisions, you call the shots so do what you want.

You are going to go through some really tough times. Some things you’re not even sure you can get through, but you do. You come out even stronger because there are so many people in your life who want to help and support you. You are loved by so many people. Because do you know something? You’re really special. Yes, you.

Things don’t necessarily go as you plan, or as you want them to. There’s a lot of ups and downs but everything shapes you into the person you are. At the moment you are the foundation of an amazing person and with each day that passes you are building yourself into an incredible human being.

I can’t tell you how important it is to be proud of yourself, love yourself, believe in yourself. It’s what will get you through. Yes there will be times you’ll feel it more than others but never lose it. No matter how small the flame is don’t tell it burn out. You can do it.

Take everyday as it comes. Don’t let your dreams end just let them change. One day everything you dream of will come true and the only person that will have made it happen is you.

Embrace your individuality, your crazy and outgoing personality. Remember you’re shy sometimes and that it’s ok. Remember who you are. You’re a nice person, you’re caring and kind. You’ll fall in love easily and those people will always hold a place in your heart. It’s all part of who you are. Don’t change for anyone because you are pretty damn good just as you are.

Right now you’re just a kid and you’ll learn to become an adult. You’re strong. You’re confident, talented, brave, bold, courageous.

Yes you’ll have your heart broken, yes you’ll have times when you feel like life is not worth living. But you are made for more than this. You are made for so much. You have so much to achieve. You get to see the world. You get to make your dreams come true. You’re incredible. You really are. No matter what happens, believe. Believe in yourself. Believe in everything you can do. Because if you believe it, you can do it.