Stay Strong. Stay Awkward. Stay You.

What would you tell your 8-year-old self?

Hi, it’s me.

Here’s what I would tell this girl:

- You are stronger than you know and everyone else is weaker than they let on. Be nice to them, because you have no idea what they are going through. And be nice to yourself too, because it’s going to take you a while to figure yourself out. And that’s okay.

- Trust yourself. You know what’s right for you (even if your fashion sense will remain atrocious). Your teachers, your friends, your parents have ideas, but you have your truth. Stay strong, girl. The world will come around.

- Being alone and being lonely are not this same thing. Don’t sacrifice who you are just to get the approval and company of people you don’t respect. Tilt towards those you admire, and away from those who ask you to compromise what makes you special.

- All those quirks are features, not bugs. Not only are you about to LOVE Atari Computer Sleepaway Camp, you’ll be able to dine out of stories of your nerdiness for decades. Lean into your awkward.

- You are deeply lovable. That boy who breaks your heart won’t be the love of your life. And that other boy who writes “roses are red, violets are blue, walls are flat, and so are you,” in your yearbook will call you decades from now and apologize that he was always such a twat to you. Eighth grade’s not the end of your story.

- You are pretty much wrong about everything you expect will happen to you in this life. And figuring out what’s right will be more fun than you can even imagine.

- And, no, I wouldn’t tell her to change this outfit. This outfit is iconic. And I only wish I had it in my size now.

Stay strong.
Stay awkward.
Stay you.