A Letter To My 15 Year-Old Self

Dear "baby" Seana,

This was your first homecoming dance, remember? Buying that dress was the highlight of your first fall season of high school, and you thought it was the most beautiful thing you'd ever seen. Sweet girl, so much has changed since then, and there's so much I wish I could go back in time and talk to you about. And although that's something I can't do, I'll write this letter instead.

First things first: NEVER put everything on hold because of a guy. You are allowed and encouraged to live fully and vibrantly, even if it feels like everything is crumbling. Until you meet someone who's going to be your forever, don't waste time moping around either recovering from a broken heart or waiting for someone else to come along. Let things happen on their own, and make sure you focus on yourself and being happy.

Don't settle for less than you deserve. Too often people get sucked into toxic friendships and relationships and they simply stay because they're too afraid to leave the only thing they've ever known. If something or someone is hurting you, you have full permission to cut it out of your life.

Be fearless enough to dive head-first into something, even if you're unsure. Some of the best things in life aren't planned and take a stomach-dropping leap into the unknown. So stop living life watching from the banks and completely submerge yourself.

Stay weird. Embrace whimsy. Don't you dare hide your quirky sense of humor in order to fit in, because trust me, fitting in is completely overrated. (And besides, the best kinds of friends won't even mind if you're a weird little hobbit, I promise.)

Throughout high school, anxiety is going to become like that clingy person that won't take a hint and leave. You're going to have some days where everything is fine, and other days where you won't even be able to leave the house, which sucks a lot. And believe me, the first time is scary enough, but the times after that still have their own fears surrounding it. Surround yourself with good people, and always remember to keep them close, even though there will be rocky patches that'll make you want to be a hermit like Henry David Thoreau. Take some deep breaths, and always remember that everything will be okay in the end, even though it'll be a battle to get there.

Never be afraid to do things for yourself. Try new makeup techniques, wear that bomb pair of thigh-high boots to class, laugh loudly, and embrace change. Be kind for the sake of kindness, and learn to stand up for what you believe in with a backbone of steel. Life is way too short to sit on the fence and just observe from the safety of your little bubble.

And lastly, you are so unbelievably strong, and that is something that will never change. Trust your instincts, and always keep your head high.

You've got this, little me.

I believe in you.

Love,