A letter to my 16-year-old self
Dear sweet 16,
Imagine a world where girls like you are just living their best lives and scaling their potential without second-guessing how they look or how their friends think about them?
My dear, when you turned 16, your body changed. The acne on your face is the worst reality you have had to live with. Oh my! The emotional changes have been a roller coaster as well. Lately, you have been feeling misunderstood by mum and dad. Most nights, you silently cry and question whether you are good enough.
It is okay to feel this way.
Sometimes, it feels like the world is against you and nothing you do is right. Live one day at a time baby girl. Be yourself and do it well. You have the power to decide how you want to be addressed and to shape your future to be better. Avoid overthinking and feeling unworthy.
Look at you! You are glowing and growing up beautifully and the world is not ready to contain all your amazement. The boys in your class are teasing you every single second and you are developing some interest in one (or some) of them. I know you think you like him and he likes you too. Is it love? It is likely not a baby girl. The ‘love’ you desperately want, may or may not be there. You may be infatuated and it is normal. What you do with your feelings is what matters. Embrace self-control.
Your friends have boyfriends and sometimes they spent weekends drinking and smoking. You are tempted to try but you don’t know how to go about it. You are confused. I know it feels weird being against the crowd but I just want you to know that you are on the right track.
Peer pressure is a reality and so is teenage pregnancy. I encourage you to choose the things you are doing because you want to do them and not because others are telling you to do them. You will be 16 once, don’t mess it up. Enjoy this season and while at it, be the best version of yourself.
A few years later, you will realize that growing up comes with a lot of responsibilities, and at 16; you have to be accountable as well. Every year counts and I can’t wait to see you in your 50s with all you have ever wanted to have.
What would you tell your 16-year-old self?