Advice every teen should know.

-Treat others how you'd like to be treated yourself-
You'll never know what a person is feeling and how hard it is to get bullied and it can only lead to tears unless you treat people kindly.

-Crying doesn't make you weak-
You'll prob laugh about what you're crying about in 5 years. IDK about death...but It'll not seem as bad though.

-Respect your parents or whoever looks after you-
You'll need them in later life and show you're thankful.(plus you'd be parents one day)

-The only person you can truly trust is yourself-
Friends and family do let you down at times. Don't run to someone because you think it's easier, u'd be used and let down.

-Start loving yourself-
Only you can change you, if a bf or gf is trying to change you so much you don't feel you anymore, let them go. A true lover will love you for being yourself.

-Work hard at school-
At least to the point you pass exams. It will benefit you in life and easier to pass them when your young than years later.

-Don't party your dreams away-
Say you want to have a successful job in life, well it's not easy to get to the top if you party as much as you can. Balance school and social life. School should come first. If you got a big test coming up but, your friend invited you to a party...don't be shy to say "no I should study instead".
Always another party , but not really another exam.

-Life is too short to fret-
If you like a guy just tell him, the moment will otherwise pass and you'll never know if he likes you back....Pick friends wisely as if they give you too much grieve find new people to hang with.

-Create your own style-
Don't have to wear what your friends wear to fit in.
A true friend will like you wherever you go and whatever you wear. Wear clothes that suit you and not your social life.

-BEING UNDERESTIMATED-

It's a common issue with being shy, that people think you are unable to do a task well ( e.g. perform on stage) because they see you as quiet and shy.

1-SHOW THEM YOU CAN-
Do the task anyway the best you can do it. 
Be brave and work hard to proof them wrong.

2-DON'T BACK OUT/DOWN-
Just because people say no to you doing it or think you'd suck...don't let that put up a barrier. 
Some shy people go into a bubble and hide away when people out shine them. Try and pop the bubble by pushing yourself into activities.

3-TURN NEGATIVE INTO POSITIVE-
Tell yourself "yes I can" when someone says you can't as your too shy. Every mean comment or expression given is a chance to make it into opposite reactions.

4-DON'T TALK BACK ABOUT IT-
Calmly go about your day doing thing you're underestimated for. Don't speak out and say "I think you'll find I can do that" ...simple go and do the thing. Actions speak louder than words plus don't want to be laughed at for speaking up when shy people find speaking out hard.

5-SET YOURSELF TARGETS-
Give yourself an achievable goal to get to. If someone says you can't join the debate team because you're too shy or be a leader of a group...then show them ways you can talk out.
Volunteer for activities that involve a good portion of it talking...e.g. in charity shop or handing out leaflets. (run for class president etc).

7-KEEP GOING-
Never give up and take easy way out. Quitting means the underestimater wins and is right.

8-GET SUPPORT-
Get a friend to help you get better at the task you're underestimated for...or just to give you positive reinforcement to keep going...e.g. positive comment or give you a cookie when done well.

9-HAPPINESS-
Do what you feel makes you happy. If you end up in tears then it's not right for you. Try enough to show the person you can succeed but not so you become sad by it. 

10-SMILE-
Stay happy and show the person who belittled you that their comment isn't getting to you and you aren't affected by it...even though you are inside. Your face should show you're happy, some people only wish to troll you and make you suffer for their happiness as shy people tend to be easy targets.

Mint choc chip icecream make it okay.

I say I'm okay when I'm not. I want someone to pick up the pieces but no...I just carry on eating mint choc chip ice cream to make life feel better.

When people are quick to say "I'm fine" or "I'm ok" most likely they are not or they just want you to leave them alone.

So many people out there put a mask on life. They fake it to make it. They smile on the outside when they're crying on the inside. They pretend to be someone they are not.

It saddens me to think that lots of people out there are not true to themselves and hide away true feelings and selves. Some people don't have a shoulder to cry on or a trustworthy person to rely on/confide in.

Maybe you be that person who doesn't let a fast "I'm fine" or "I'm ok" slide.  Be someone who says "I know you're not".

Letter to 12 year old me.

Dear 12 year old me,

You feel like you don't belong being the shy one sitting on the outside. Believe in yourself as life is what you make it. So, talk to those you like but, don't worry if they don't like you for who you are because people out there will. If you like them don't be afraid to show it or risk loosing people from your life that mean a lot.

Don't let those who are mean to you get to you. Be strong and happiness comes and goes in your life and don't take family for granted.
You will slowly gain confidence and achieve wonderful things as much as people feel like they're getting in your way. Carry on living how you feel is right for you and bottling up hardships will not help anyone.
You are beautiful no matter what people out there say and though you look young your cuteness and sweetness shines through to those who love you.
One tip is if you dislike something that happens like someone saying your idea is bad then do not sit quiet and let them put a stop to your idea. If you think it will work then carry on as you are beautiful and only you know what works for you.

Keep smiling through and stick by the one guy who loves you most.
Lots of hugs your 21 year old self.

Life is a game...

Life is a game we all play with rules given to us, some to be learnt and others to be followed or even broken.... AND we all dream for life to be our version of perfect but it never really is so. 

We have to learn to fit in like a jigsaw puzzle piece the best we can. 

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 There isn't really any easy way to do this life business. You can sit there and suffer in silence thinking 'I hate my life' or some other negative thought...hurting yourself is another way people cope. OR You can get off your backside and do something about whatever you dislike about life. Sitting there everyday wishing life would change in any way shape or form while going about life the same way you do everyday is stupid. It's the way many people go about life.

 Everyone is in a sea of people struggling for a place they belong. It's a game. It's unfair. It's a challenge. I am one lonely person trying to swim to the surface of the people but pushed down by the current or swarm of people leaping above me like dolphins out of the water.

 What I'm trying to say is that life is not easy even for those who you think is. (they're probably good at hiding it) If you dislike how life is going right now then try and change it. Move away from people who bring down life or change the way you think of life. p.s. I'm not saying I am winning this life game. I'm clearly stating you are not the only person who wants a perfect version of life for them.