Enjoy!
Age 13 (Grade 8) - Keep your head up. You may have had a tragedy in your life, but if you let the sadness take over 10 years from now you'll still be struggling. Also, don't worry about your first love. He means well, but don't look to him for support. A 13 year-old doesn't know how to respond to an emotional situation like this. Look to people that love you for guidance and support.
Age 14 (Grade 9) - High School is going to be exactly like Middle School. You'll end up with the same people who bullied you last year, but at least you'll make new friends who will stick up for you. You'll also find that your heart has healed a little and you have a new love for all things Military after joining Army JROTC. Don't worry about the grades you received this year. If you focus more on you studies next year, you could possibly make amazing grades. Also, don't let your boyfriend determine your worth. You are an amazing person who just needs to build up your self-esteem.
Age 15 (Grade 10) - Again, stop worrying about dating, this is not the guy for you. In a year, he won't even remember you. Focus more on your studies and finding activities that you love. Also, if you keep pushing your program on people, you will fail. Find a better way to relate to people if you want them to support your cause. If you want, you could leave HS now, take the GED, and begin college. That would be amazing for your self-esteem and academic career now that you know what you want to do and have 10+ years of higher ed ahead of you. You can always visit your friends on weekends.
Age 16 (Grade 11) - What happened this year will break you if you get help. Don't worry about people who don't believe you, those who do will always have your back. This is the year you find out who your friends really are. Keep them close. You should definitely get your GED or begin homeschooling. HS is not the place for you, but self-learning and higher ed are much more flexibile. Your potential is amazing and HS is just beating every ounce of creativity and zest for learning out of you. Get out before you begin to hate school altogether!
Age 17 (Homeschooling/Unschooling) - Homeschooling didn't work for you, but you're smart enough to test out of HS and go to college. Get on that now! Also, keep in touch with your friends so you don't become isolated and depressed. Working will give you a great sense of importance and independence, you should try to get a part-time job. Also, be nicer to your Grandma. She's doing the best she can. And again, stop worrying about dating, you're more than who you're with.
Age 18 - So, you finally got a job? Congrats! Now focus on getting your GED and starting college. Don't drive your Grandma crazy, she's having a tough year and the end of the year will be the worst. She'll need you to grow up. Please don't let her down, you'll never forgive yourself if you do.
Age 19 - Now that you've gotten your GED and started college, don't let you new volunteer position takeover your life. Be faithful, loving, and caring, and always say what you mean and do what you say you'll do. Don't take chances if you aren't willing to deal with the consequences. Live your life freely, without regrets, and be kinder to everyone. This is your last year of being a teenager, enjoy it.
And these are the things I'd tell my teenage self, now.
Until next time friends, peace, love, and green tea.
~ Domo ~
