An Open Letter to Myself, at 15

Calm down. Seriously, take a deep breath. Put the razor down. Stop hurting yourself. You are so so beautiful, and someday all of your pain is going to be so much more tolerable. No one is worth hurting yourself over. Nothing is worth all those tears. Someday, those scars are going to be the most embarrassing part of your body, and the reason you get nervous taking your kids to the beach. The complications of teenage dating really aren't worth the drama. Your broken heart is going to heal. You aren't a slut. Stop reading so much liberal propaganda. Don't lose your fire and your passion, but seriously maybe read articles from more than one news source. Never stop helping people, but learn that sometimes people need to learn to stand on their own. Teaching someone how to help themselves is more valuable than giving them what they want/need. You're going to lose a lot of friends, and gain new ones and do it all over again so many times. Don't let any of those people change the way you feel about yourself. You are wonderful. Listen to Drury and Jo. Try to be nice to your parents, and remember that when you hurt yourself, you hurt them so much more. They're trying their best, even though they aren't perfect and someday you're going to understand how hard it is to be a parent to someone just like you. You're going to be successful, and have all the things you want. You just have to keep trying. You can't give up. Try not to cry so much. Try to have a little more fun. Don't be a mean girl, and don't be friends with the mean girls. Don't fight with other girls over guys. If he can be taken from you, he isn't yours. Focus more on studying and less on sex. Fair weather friend's aren't really friends at all, but go to the friggen party. It's ok to let loose and have fun, but don't abuse yourself. Don't mix pills, and don't take drugs that you don't know what are. Be nice to your teachers, even when they're wrong. They make really crappy salaries and they still show up everyday to be abused by twerps like you. Please, love yourself, just a little. No one else really can until you do. Keep your chin up. You're going to make it. I promise.