The Letter I'd Write to My 13-Year-Old Self

Dear 13-Year-Old Self or to whom it may concern,

Don't waste away the life you currently have. You never listened when people told you that growing up isn't fun and isn't what you'll expect it to be. But you decided for yourself that you were going to be a grown up and that it was going to be fun. Because that is the case, here is some advice for you:

1. Don't EVER EVER EVER let any boy that has not gone through puberty EVER convince you that he loves you. He's not thinking rationally or clearly. He's still a child and so are you. Don't ever let a guy (that can't even drive you to a date) convince you that he loves you. He doesn't. His pre-pubescent mind only wants one thing, just so you know. Don't fall for it. Besides, you have more important things to worry about than a husband or boyfriend when you're 13. Stop that nonsense. Just focus on the more important things like #2 below.

2. You may hate school now, but push through it, anyway. There's a reason you are in school in the first place. It's not to dink around or be there for friends (although, friends are a bonus). The main reason for your education is so you can stop being a lazy teenager and grow up to be a mature, successful adult. It's not for any reason but to have a GREAT career. If you want to have a job someday that could end up serving you well, don't fool around. Just don't.

3. If you think you have "a lot" of money now, you just wait and see. You'll notice it doesn't stay "a lot" for long. It goes away once you add in all the bills like, electricity, rent & homeowners insurance, food, your car's gas and insurance, and whatever else you choose to have for your budget. And the very important and stupid thing to remember: DO NOT MAX OUT YOUR CREDIT CARD. NEVER EVER EVER DO THAT.

4. Find a mentor/strong woman of God you can trust to help get you through your toughest struggles, pray, and read God's Word every day of your life.  Do that as if your life depended on that... as if it were your last breath and reading it would keep you alive. God's Word is what gets you through those really tough issues in life and wise people in life can help you make those assessments, which is why I say find a mentor. Don't try to go through life alone. You're just gonna screw yourself over and over again. Don't do it. Ask for help from wise people and God!

5. Just so you know, once you're done with high school.... you will probably not end up having most of the friendships you had or at least in the same way you had them. Everyone will want to go off and do separate things. The things you and your best friend were gonna do together changed, because the both or one of you changed. That's not all bad, just don't expect things to stay the same. If they are still in your life when you're 40, feel extremely blessed and lucky because a lot of people don't have that. And that is just the way it is. So get over it and focus on your career and what you would like your future to look like. Let God take control of the rest of your life.

6. Don't ever be cocky about anything ever. That will just end up biting you in your rear end. Just don't ever think you're better than everyone else, 'cause you're not, k? You are a sinner, just like everyone else. There should be no reason that you are critical of the way someone else is living because you have a hard enough time keeping track of your own life. Don't give advice to other people that you can't even follow yourself. Simple as that.

7. You are beautiful. Don't ever let yourself or someone else tell you differently. You look fine without makeup. Don't convince yourself that you need it to be pretty, cause you don't. Hair dye and make up do not define who you are. Your faith and Christianity, however, do. If God wanted us to wear makeup and dye our hair a different color, he would've created us that way, I'm convinced. So just don't focus on the outer appearance because, just so you know, it's gonna fade. Whether you dye your hair or wear makeup or have piercings or tattoos, your outer beauty is going to one day fade and you won't look the same. Like I said before, just don't focus on impressing anyone. The natural you is bound to impress someone more than the mask you're trying to hide behind. So just go natural once in a while. Just do it.

Ahh, so you've read my list? Well, that stuff is crucial to know before you head off into the adult world or to at least be a happy individual. It is VITALLY important to listen to adults and wise counsel. Always remember that. God is always going to be there, whether you think He is or not. He is. Your parents love you, whether you think they are too critical or not. They may be, who knows. But that's not for you to worry about. They were given a job as a parent and it's your job to do what God has asked you to do as a child: Obey and also "Honor your mother and father: for this is the only commandment with a promise; that you may live long in the land." That's your job. Try to do that and they may react better.


Your Future Self,



Megan Isabel Skidmore