Letter to My Freshman Self (2017)

Dear Freshman Me,

When I was a freshman, I didn’t realize how important it was to be my own person, or how important it was to hold myself to my own standards. I wanted, more than anything, to be liked by everyone, which, coupled with an extreme fear of missing out, led me to repeatedly conform into what I thought would impress those around me (which you may already know, considering we are the same person). Over the past four years, through various high school trials and tribulations, I’ve learned that loving myself, and being content in my own skin, will always matter more than how the kid that sits behind me in math class views me, or who I sit with at lunch. I realized that, at the end of the day, it is me who will have to live with the choices that I’ve made. I wish that I came to this conclusion earlier in high school, so that I could’ve had a more genuine experience. I would have spent more time doing the things that I’m passionate about, instead of what I thought would get me more followers on Twitter. This journey, however, taught me a valuable lesson about loving who I am, and knowing that who I am is enough.

So, Taylor, please do not worry about that bonfire next week, or that party the week after that. Do not worry about that boy, and if he likes you back. Do not worry about whether or not the people in the hallway behind you think you walk a little weird. Do not compare yourself to the girl next to you. The presence of her beauty does not mean the absence of your own. Instead, worry about whether or not you’re going to look back at this experience, and be proud of what you see. Please be someone you’re proud of.

If I could go back in time, I would do what makes me happy. I’d be a person who loves who she is completely. I like to think I’ve become that person. I like to think I’m someone you’ll be proud to someday become.

Yours truly,
You