Hiya Marissa, 

I’m sure you’re probably sitting in your bedroom, finishing up advanced algebra homework by Ms. Giannini, and worrying about the future and how high school and college will play out right now. Stressing about the SATs, getting perfect grades, and finding a beautiful prom dress.

Although the things I mentioned above do matter, there’s no reason to lose sleep over them. Life always seems to find a way to work out, which is a beautiful thing. No amount of stress or anxiety will change the way the future unfolds, and that’s extremely important to remember.

Enjoy this time with all of your friends because one day you’ll all live in different parts of the country and only see each other a few times a year if you’re lucky.

I remember being little and hearing my parents say, “High school is the best time of your life; enjoy it.” And although the life I live now is pretty great, I’d be lying to say I don’t miss the days of zero responsibility and spending every weekend with my best friends. Once you graduate high school and college, you’ll get hit with a mortgage, student loans, and taxes, so please enjoy the four short years you have in high school.

Take chances and have confidence. Stop trying to plan every inch of your life. Plans often get messed up anyway. Everything is going to work out exactly the way it is supposed to, so just live in the moment and stop stressing about the future. I promise it’ll turn out better than you ever imagined!

With love,

Marissa