A letter from June 27th, 2020

Dear FutureMe, Hey girl! It's 16 year old you! You should be graduated from high school and college with a nursing degree; if you decided that was still your career path. I hope by the time you are reading this that you are at peace with your body, your mind, and your soul. At the time you wrote this you were very depressed and confused. You were down right struggling. I hope 21 year old you loves her body. I hope you feel like the most beautiful and unstoppable queen that you are. I hope you don't wake up every day wishing you hadn't and that whatever you are doing or where ever you are going, you have a smile on your face and it isn't fake. I hope you surrounded yourself by good people who care for you, love you for who you are, and accept you. I hope that you accomplish everything you wanted to accomplish as a 16 year old. I hope you find a man who will love and cherish you every single moment you spend together. I hope that whatever decisions you make, you never question them. I also hope that you are never afraid to leave a situation because of fear of not being able to survive and thrive without it. I hope that 21 year old you makes 16 year old you very proud. Here is a guide for when you are struggling... 1) You are beautiful- never question it.. no matter how chubby you are or how many pimples or how many chins you have, know you are beautiful. 2) You are worthy!- do not allow yourself to be around anyone who makes you feel or treats you like less than you are; there ARE people out there who will treat you like you are important! 3)You are smart- no matter what career you have chosen thus far, as long as you are happy, you are successful and you are smart! Please make yourself and your well-being a priority before anyone else. You cannot keep others above water if you are drowning. I am sure you have made 16 year old you proud. Love yourself and keep going! xoxo 16 year old Autumn 06/27/2020