Dear Younger Me,

You do not need your friends' approval to qualify as beautiful.

Just be you, that is really all that we are able to do.

Life becomes so exhausting when you waste your time striving to be someone else.

Life becomes meaningless when you aren't allowed to be yourself.

When you think things are at their hardest, trust me, it can get much worse.

But strive to stay strong regardless, strive to stay diverse,

Focus on the things that matter most, and do not brag or boast,

Just keep loving life, love yourself, and stay true to who you are.

Trust me darling, remember these things and you will get very far.

With love,

Samayah L. Coleman-Smith

(a.k.a Older You)