Welcome to Dear Teenage Me page

This project is something I started years ago, with the intention of writing a simple letter to my teenage self, with all the advice I wish I had known back then, when everything was upside down, felt completely bleak, and there was no light at the end of the depressed-teen tunnel. It has blossomed into these groups of advice pieces listed below, and is something I hope I continue to do, in written form, on Instagram (#dearteenageme), and in little video clips. Please join in. Email me or comment on my IG with what you wish you had known. I would love to hear it and share it.

Dear Teenage Me,

It’s me! You! You know, time-traveling from the future! (Yes, just like in our favorite movie, The Terminator. Only without the attempted murder and gratuitous nudity.). I'm here with some things that I wish I had known at your age. Some personal, some general, but, trust me, hon, all of them apply to you.

So, a coupla things first. The future is nothing like Back to the Future Part 2. For instance: no flying cars. The word “pimp” is a compliment. # is no longer a number sign or a pound sign. Teenagers are eating laundry detergent. Along with something called “swiping right,” all of this could seem like signs of the apocalypse. Nope! That honor falls to the family of one of OJ Simpson’s lawyers. Yeah, the football guy. Oh, hon, just you wait.

But, truly, know this, young me: holy crap, you have so much good stuff ahead of you…a life that is surprising and fun and full of adventure. True, there is sadness and loss (special things are fleeting, after all; that’s what makes them special)…the whole human experience. But, you will see the world and laugh a lot and find true love. (Oh, and at one point you end up on a national TV show ((twice)) but it is kind of a gross show. It’s something called “reality TV” which, as long as we’re time traveling, let’s figure out a way to stop that from ever becoming a thing, okay? Either that, or invest in it.) Anyhoo! Here are a few of them, toots. Good luck.

You, squinting.

Probably thinking about Chee-toes.

Dear Teenage Me,

1. Possessive jealousy is not love. It is a form of control, hurts everyone involved, and kills what it seeks to hold on to.
2. That guy? The one you’re desperately pining for? Well…get this: you actually don’t think about him at all anymore. AT. ALL.
3. Passive-aggressive people are just manipulators who will never own their shit. So stop trying to make them. On a related note, own your shit.
4. Always choose experiences over things. You will never regret it.
5. Chee-toes are not a food group. Not even the white cheddar ones. And try and eat a vegetable before age 30.
6. People-pleasing is just another form of controlling others. Whatever you try to control ends up controlling you.
7. Black waterproof eyeliner is your friend. That blue frosted eye shadow is not.
8. 4 things that can define a person: if she wipes her lipstick off of her glass at a restaurant, returns shopping carts to the corral at the grocery store, tells someone when she has lipstick on her teeth, and revels in other people’s joy. Be that person.
9. You can be outdoorsy adventure girl AND glittery girl. You don’t have to choose. Just wake up early to put on your eyeliner.
10. Calm the f*&k down. Believe it or not, kiddo, it is a choice to be anxious, to be a worrier, to spout every opinion you have, or attend every argument you’re invited to. Sometimes, just RSVP no.
11. Choose carefully whose opinions matter. Don't worry what EVERYONE thinks. Self-consciousness is just another form of self-centeredness.
12. Keep a list of every book you read (yes, all of them!). And treasure it always.
13. A little tiny bit of drama never hurt anyone. Just don’t mistake drama for passion.

More to come. Stay veracious.

dear teenage me

Welcome to Dear Teenage Me page

Dear Teenage Me,

Dear Teenage Me: Black Eyeliner and THAT Guy

Dear Teenage Me,

Veracious Voyager

Oh, the places you can find me!