I honestly didn’t know if I wanted to post something this personal. I find it hard to reveal stuff about myself to other people, but I’ve been trying new things.
I wrote this with every piece of my heart. Enjoy 🙂
Dear Brianna,
What you’re feeling is okay. I know sometimes it won’t feel okay, but it is. It is okay to not be okay and it is okay to be just okay. You don’t always have to be good. You don’t always have to smile when you’re hurting. It is okay to show pain, to show vulnerability. It is okay to ask for help, even if you feel like you’re bothering someone. It is okay to open up and stop keeping everything so bottled up. Say what you feel. If something has upset you, don’t pretend that it didn’t. You are worthy of happiness.
It is okay to be scared. Everyone is. Everything is changing. Your friends are changing. Your family is changing. You’re changing. Let the people around you help when they offer. It’s okay to be scared of asking for what you want, but closed mouths don’t get fed. Remember the worst that can happen is they say no. The world won’t end. The sun will rise, and we will try again.
Remember that you are young. You don’t need to be so serious all the time. It is okay to be silly and wild. That’s what teenagers do. Have fun. Scratch that; have a BLAST. Make drastic decisions, regret them, rinse, repeat. This is the time to experiment with new things. This is the youngest you’ll ever be. Live it up!
It is okay to love deeply. It is okay to give your all to someone you love. It is okay to trust others, even if you get hurt. These years are trial and error. Nothing is right. It is okay to let go. You don’t have to hold grudges because someone has hurt you in the past. It is okay to forgive someone who hasn’t apologized.
It is okay to make new friends even though your friends back home forbid it. You don’t have to be miserable for the sake of someone else’s feelings. They will make new friends just like you will. Nothing is permanent. Most people that come in your life will be a lesson but there will be a few blessings. You will find your blessing.
It is okay to be confused about everything. Nobody blames you. Nobody is judging you. They’re confused, too. Everyone is confused. Nobody has everything planned out. And even if they do, their plans will change. So will yours. Change your mind. Change it again. You have nothing but time. Make mistakes. Make them again, because who ever really learns the first time? You will make mistake after mistake after mistake but you’ll get it right. Don’t hold your downfalls against yourself.
It is okay to want to stay in your room forever and ever. But don’t. Go out. Explore. Explore some more. Meet new people. Smile at strangers. Compliment things you like. I’m sure that cashier wasn’t weirded out when you told her how beautiful her lipstick looked against her skin. You have always found beauty in everything you see. Continue to do that. Tell your friends you love them. You don’t have to talk everyday to know that they love you, and that you love them. You are young adults now. You can put yourself first for the first time in your life.
It is okay to miss people who are no longer apart of your life. Remember that what is meant to be will be. Not everything will play out the way you want but it will play out the way you need. Remember that even if everybody leaves, you have you. You will always have you. Learn to go out and have fun but also learn to enjoy your own company. Talk to yourself if you need to. Encourage yourself. Love yourself.
It is okay to want to sacrifice your happiness for someone else’s. But don’t. Your happiness is just as important as the next persons. And most of all, it is okay to be you. You are interesting. You are worthy of everything you want in life.
Forever and always,
Brianna
proud of u
I loved your open letter, honestly. It is so personal yet also not too much—just enough. Although it was obviously significant to you, I feel that anyone can connect with it. Thank you for sharing this piece of you. (:
I love this so much and I relate when you talk about learning how to say no. I feel like I struggle with that because I don’t want anyone to get the wrong impression of me. Every time I read this it’s a nice reminder that it is okay.