Dear Miss Insecurity,
I just wanted to let you know that life is going to be so great for you! Right now you are in a a funk. You think that you have to have a boyfriend all of the time and that is just silly. I mean really—look at the guy you are dating now!! Good grief. Where on earth did you find HIM???? You can do so much better!
I know that you just got into the GlennTones and that you are really, really excited about that! Remember that you are just a very small part of that group but an important part, nonetheless, because it is up to YOU to know your part and do it right. It is going to boost your self esteem to be a part of something where people accept YOU for who you are.
And while I am on the subject of self esteem—YOU are wonderfully made. I know that you feel geeky now and really out of sorts with the rest of the world but once those braces come off, that front tooth gets fixed and your stringy hair gets some shape to it you are going to realize that you are a pretty great girl with a huge heart. Looks aren’t everything and not everyone is going to have superstar beauty. I think if you look around you will see that that is actually very rare. The real beauty comes from within and you have that.
I just wanted to let you know that your life is going to be so wonderful a few years down the road. I know it looks kind of bleak now at times but trust me on this one—things are going to be fabulous. Here are a few hints of what is to come:
*You are going to actually get to go to a great college, graduate with honors and get a degree that even though you won’t actually ever work in that field for money you will use the skills you learned there all through your life.
*You are going to meet your Prince Charming and he will be far better than anything you could have dreamed of. He is going to love you and CHERISH you and take care of you for many, many years. He is going to be your MOSTEST and give you so much encouragement and support that all your insecurities are going to disappear.
*You are going to become a mom. I am not going to say anymore about this but suffice it to say you are going to enjoy the most important job of your life.
*You know how you moved around a bit growing up since your dad was a minister?? Well, keep a hand on those suitcases and moving boxes, Trust me on this one–you are going to need to put that Snacker Packer 4H award to use here. In the words of Dr. Seuss—Oh The Places You Will Go.
*Your family is going to continue to be important to you—I know you roll your eyes at your mom today but believe me—I know what I am talking about. All of your family including the family of your Prince Charming will be a very important part of your life.
*You are going to discover that you have a big heart and a love of the older folks —not in a demented or weird sort of way but in a truly compassionate way. Use that and do good –you are capable of so much more than you think you are. God is there with you every step of the way. Actually He is there before you.
*When you think it is impossible to get through something just remember that someone else has done something much harder than you have and made it to the other side of it. You can do it.
So even though I am not telling you all that is going to happen down the road I am telling you enough to let you know that you are going to be just fine. You are going to have some challenges and some obstacles. Things won’t always go according to your plan but then maybe your plan isn’t so great after all. You are going to make some great friends along the way and keep them close even if you are not close in geography. You are going to become a blogger. I know you don’t have a clue right now what that is but again, trust me on this one….it is something that is going to make you feel so good about yourself and right now I think you need all of the encouragement that you can get.
Remember always to love yourself even though you feel unlovable. It all works out . It really does!!! In fact–it turns out pretty incredible!
If you wrote a letter to your 16 year old self what would you say? It is a great exercise and I honestly would love to read what you would write. If you have a blog and do it on your blog please leave the link here in the comments so I can visit. Feel free to use the graphic above if you would like to use it in your post. I can send you one without my watermark. If you want to write and send it to me in an email I would cherish it as well. ([email protected]) I truly would love to read what you write.
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38 Comments
Leave a commentHow did we survive adolescence? And how did our parents survive the drama? You’ve captured it well, my friend.
Thank you so much Laura. It was a good exercise. I would love to see what YOU would write!
Wow! The memories! I’m not quite sure how my parents survived either! Very sensitive and intuitive writing. Wouldn’t it be fascinating if we could have actually met our younger selves?
I know! Yes! How did our parents survive and what on earth was I thinking then? I would love to see what you come up with if you write a similar post!
Very well done, Beth Ann. When I wrote a similar post a while back, I sat and thought about all the sensible things I was sharing with my youthful self and if anything might have made a difference during that, sometimes painful, period of life. But, we did survive, in spite of it all.
Sharing the link to my post; thank you!
http://anothercookieplease.com/2011/06/dear-me-not-yet-to-be/
Oh yay! Glad to read your post. I actually did this a long time ago for the prompt that you might have done yours for and decided it was worth reposting. Thank YOU for sharing yours. Going there now!
Great post! I think our 16 year old selves would be amazed at what we would tell them!!
Yes–they would for sure. I know I never dreamed of the things that would happen for me and to me over the years. Can’t wait to read what you come up with.
This is a powerful piece because you share hope and trust for the future.
Ready for a goosebump moment? Here’s one of the bible verses I read in a devotional this morning: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
I needed to read that today and your post. Thank you.
WOW! This is awesome! I’d love to do one, but it might require a bit of thinking!! You are an amazing woman with one of the biggest hearts and I’m so glad you’re a part of my life! HUGS!
There are many lessons I have learned along the way that I wish I had learned sooner, but there’s just no way my 16 year old self would ever take anyone’s advice!
Also, those pants are amazing!
NI can’t believe you are the first one to comment on the picture!!!! Wasn’t I a gem????thanks for stopping by!
Actually, I hesitated to comment on those pants, and for good reason. Two skeletons remain in one of my closets….a Nehru Jacket and a Disco Dress but…all bell-bottom pants, thankfully, disappeared. lolol
That is awesome!!! Hey–I put the most hideous picture of myself out there for the whole world to see! And all you commented on was the pants???? 🙂
The girl in the photo was anything but…hideous. Beautiful then…as now! The pants…not so much.
Haha! Thanks, Patty!!!
What about that old boyfriend? Do you ever wonder where his life took him? Maybe he has overcome whatever issues he had as well.. It might be fun to do a little (covert) investigating. There is a site that I believe is called Pipl where you can attempt to find people you know or knew. Anyway, your life has taken you on such a great number of journeys and missions that the 16 year old you could never have possibly imagined.
You are so funny….I KNOW where that old boyfriend is and what he has become and while I am sure he is happy with his life I can not imagine life with him and not Mr. Diamond. But yes–life has taken on many adventures over the years!
You have done well indeed.
Going back to look at the pants….
Waiting………comments?????
This made me cry! So beautifully written.
Aw. Thanks. I think this is my “voice”, don’t you?
A wonderful letter. 🙂
Very interesting! Great post, Beth Ann.
Thanks so much!
This is one of your best blogs I think. All our four children kept us busy and they did not always agree with us but they all turned out to be pretty good adults.
[…] Beth Ann of It’s Just Life: Dear 16 Year Old Self […]
I wish someone would have written that letter to my 16-year-old self! That is such a hard age.
It is a very difficult age and goodness knows I could have used this back then.
Geeze! Nice bell-bottoms, Geek! [I think I can get away with this, being a brother… I’ve been guilty of even more hurtful comments, during our formative years, and I think you still love me (don’t you?)].
I’m trying to remember the boyfriend at 16. Busted knees?
YES!!!!!!!!! Busted knees it was. Good grief. And yes—you can call me any names you like and I will always adore you. Hey–someone had a Jart set for sale in their Vintage shop. Want me to pick it up and see if your aim is any better at 55?
Umm… I’m 56, and soon to be 57, but thanks for the flattery…
Yep, Beth fans, I nailed my little sister in the stomach, with one of those very most incredibly dangerous of lawn games, Jarts. I’m sure they have been outlawed, by now, probably with good reason. However, I lament the free-wheeling times of yesteryear, when kids could roam the backwoods, without the folks getting anxious, even when said kid was gone all day… I had such great adventures, exploring the creek behind our house, for miles and miles, and hours and hours, and never heard a comment from the folks that I had been gone too long. Perhaps they were disappointed that I showed up for dinner, every time, without fail…
Oh gosh—I really am tired! I mistyped your age. With my 55 looming in a few weeks I am getting anxious. I miss those days as well!
How did I miss this post earlier???? This is great! Oh, how we could all have used such advice when we were 16? As Patti commented, that is a tough age.
Glad you enjoyed the post—we all had quite a few things to deal with at that age, didn’t we?
You’re such a beautiful woman now (inside & out), it seems hard to realize you thought you were gawky & awkward in your past.
Aw–you are so sweet! Yes—I had a lot of insecurities but thank goodness I am at a different place in my life now and love who I am!