Dear You,

Your goals are simple: Wake up. Manage your diabetes. Be the best person, student and kid you can. Find ways to avoid what makes you feel upset. Surround yourself with positive influences on your life and be just as positive right back. When things get tough, keep pushing through and find a way to keep smiling. 

Be happy. Be healthy. Be thankful.

You’ve been through so much, and I couldn’t be more proud of who you’ve become.

Lately, you might be losing sight of who you are because you might not be achieving your goals as easily, but I promise this is just a bump in the road and you’re on your way to greatness. 

I wanted to write this letter to you because I wanted to remind you of how far you’ve come. Being carefree isn’t easy, but this should remind you to stay grounded and focused.

Stop caring so much.

We accept the status quo and stereotypes around us, but only for the simple fact that everyone else does. It is impossible to please everyone, so why do we care so much about what others think about us? No matter what we do, how we look, or what we act like, people will constantly judge, but that shouldn’t affect our own attitudes toward ourselves.

Know your worth, because darling, you are beautiful.

Know your own personal values, and it will be easier for you to stand up for what you believe in and care about— what everyone else thinks will become remarkably less important. You’ll finally understand that you’re worthy of so many things that you might have over looked because of the pressure placed upon us. Most importantly, live beyond the stereotypes. Stop missing out. 

Act on your goals. 

Set goals are one thing, but it’s another to actually work for them. You’ve learned what it means to embrace the entire journey of setting and conquering a goal. Whether that means climbing straight to the peak of success and beyond, or falling down and failing a few times. Unexpected challenges will arise, and it’s important to get back up and keep climbing. 

Laugh at failure and move on. 

Adjusting the plan of action may be needed, and sometimes the goal will shift slightly, but that doesn’t mean that you should stop working at it day in and day out. All of the goals that you have achieved have been because of your own patience and perseverance.

Stop being so hard on yourself. 

Forgive yourself. You’re smart, determined, big-hearted, strong and brave.

You didn’t get to where you are today by crying about the crappy cards life dealt you. Pick yourself up and give yourself a break. Caring less equals less stress. You deserve to be happy, and your goals will be easier to grasp if you’re content with yourself. Stop searching for happiness and let it find you. Accept yourself.

Let yourself be different, different is awesome. Don’t be afraid to stick up for yourself. Period. 

It’s okay to tell people no, especially when it makes you uncomfortable. Mental health is just as important as physical health. It is okay to feel emotions even though others might say otherwise. Without a healthy mind, you can’t have a healthy body. It’s okay to take a mental health day sometimes and put yourself first over others.

Live in the now. 

With too much planning of the future, it is easy to lose sight of who you are now. You’re too caught up with who you want to be instead of who you are. Don’t do that. You’re perfect just the way you are, and someone will love every inch of you. Stay determined and stay strong. It may get tough at times, but you’ve been through hell and back and nothing can stop you. Stay gritty and shine brighter.

It’s only onwards and upwards from here; excelsior.

All of these reminders can be used to push you through the lows in life and inspire you to keep reaching for your goals, whether they be small or large. Keep working, because, in the end, work wins, and you must overcome yourself before you can overcome anything else.

Love, Me

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