Letter to Everyone.

Dear Whoever Is Reading This,

I just wanted to say you’re beautiful. You’re beautiful because you’re you. You probably made a bunch of resolutions for yourself, but I’m here to tell you that you don’t need a new year to change things. In fact, you probably don’t even need to change. Starting right now, I want you to forget the past. Forget all the mistakes you made and just remember the lessons you learned. Forget the people who hurt you, but don’t forget that they hurt you when they come back. Laugh at jokes you think you shouldn’t. Buy that shirt without trying it on, regardless of how it looks on you because if it makes you happy, you should have it. Be cautious with love, but don’t push people away. Trust enough, not too little and not too much. Just be stay beautiful. Pick up your pieces if you’re broken. Don’t try to remember who you were before you felt sad, because you’re stronger now and can only continue to grow. Look at yourself in the mirror and realize no one else is you, no one else can ever be you. If someone calls you a name, just remember that doesn’t change you or them, and it certainly doesn’t define you. Don’t expect to be happy, just let it happen because eventually it will. Try to ignore the thoughts of not being good enough, because you are. Just like I have to realize that I am. Pursue your dreams. Draw little hearts on pieces of paper. Play your xbox for hours. Eat an entire bag of chips and double dip. Try to hang from monkey bars and fall. More importantly and specifically: do what fucking makes you smile and don’t change a thing for anyone else unless YOU want to. Someone out there will/does love you for everything you have.

Love,
Ashley.