Dear Me: A Letter to My 16 Year Old Self

By Trish Ryan

Have you guys seen this? It’s a book called Dear Me: A Letter to My Sixteen Year Old Self, where well-known people were asked to write letters to themselves back at that awkward, complicated age, offering words of comfort, advice, warning & encouragement.

I spent about twenty minutes yesterday considering what I’d tell my 16 year old self. It was obvious that the most important topic I’d need help in back then would be love and boys. This is what I came up with:

Dear Me:

The way a boy treats his mother is how he will treat you. Watch, listen, and believe what you see. Don’t cover it over with excuses. If a guy hates his mother, or ignores her when she calls, or says disparaging things about her…you’re watching your future unfold. Get up, get your coat, walk away. Most importantly: Don’t turn back. There are LOTS of great guys out there (ignore magazine articles to the contrary) who think their moms are pretty great. Date those boys.

Neither algebra nor chemistry will matter in your future, so don’t worry. Oh, and hurry up and get those contact lenses. Running toward the vault in gymnastics will go SO much better once you do.

Relax, enjoy. Live.

Love, Me

What would you say to YOUR 16 year old self?