Advice to my Former Self

Yes, the photo of the little girl above is me, way back before I could distinguish right from left and I realized I can't get by without a calculator. Driving home today, I was hit with a bit of nostalgia for my former self, specifically, the 13-year-old me.

I wasn't nostalgic to go back to middle school, I don't necessarily want to be 13 again, but I do wish I could give my 13-year-old self a hug...and some advice. You know, the kind of advice and reassurance you really needed back then. The kind of advice that resembled a slap-in-the face coming from love, of course. Just some small reality check, because at 13 and semi-self-centered, I really needed it.

To quote Cher, "If I could turn back time..."

• Hate to break it to you, but most of your friends at 13 aren't going to be your friends in your 20s. In the seventh grade, when Chelsea ostracizes you, it's a blessing, really. You'll be Facebook "friends" and you'll see her again in college, but your attempts to reconcile can be categorized a failure. It's okay. You'll understand the afternoon you go to the gym with Carling and see her.
• Regarding your crushes, Chris and Hector...jump ship now. I won't be so hard on you. You were young, naive, you didn't know any better. But don't be so dramatic, your taste will change to something far better. Keep in mind, you won't really see them again after 8th grade. 
• Middle school will end, you'll be sad and you will cry. That's okay. But be open-minded to high school. Yes, it's a private school and you won't really know anyone, but trust me, it really isn't that bad. You'll grow in your faith, you'll grow in your confidence, and you'll make some really great friends. Friends you'll still talk to in your 20s, though attending rival colleges. Trust me when I tell you, you're better off. 
• Study. You're a smart girl and you've realized you can get good grades by coasting. Don't. That'll carry over into your freshmen year of high school more than you think. 
• C'est la vie, girl! Seriously, it's life and it's going to keep going. Don't be so hard on yourself and don't occupy your time with boys and petty drama with girls that won't matter a year later. You'll learn and sooner than you think, your friends (the friends you actually still talk to) will turn to you for advice. There's a reason you've been labeled "Independent Woman of the Mountain." 

What advice do you wish you can give yourself at 13, because let's be real, who was "cool" at 13? 

Sincerely, 

Cybill

P.S. The picture included in this post is not of myself at 13.