STRICTLY TWEENS
DEAR FUTURE ME
At school I struggle with my identity. In my heart I love listening
to others and enjoying evenings at home. However, I also love
people and feel like I should be out hanging with friends more
often. I just get so tired around them and it is hard to keep up
the fun, silly act for very long. I'm torn between the person I
want to be and the person I think I should be. I just want to feel
okay for being who I am and still have friends.
-Past You
DEAR PAST ME
This is such a tough situation. I understand the struggle be-
tween being who you are vs. being who you think you should
be. My advice is to embrace yourself, the person you know you
are, whole-heartedly! This may be hard at first but ultimately
you will never be able to truly change that person so embrace
it! Also, I would set a certain number of times a week or month
that you know that you want to spend time with your friends.
By setting a number, you don't have to feel bad if you skip out
here and there. When you are around your friends, don't try too
hard. There are plenty of silly and outgoing people in this world
already. It is okay to be the the listener that pipes in at just the
right moments! True friends will love you for it! Never forget
that there is only one YOU in this world, so be the best YOU you
can be!
-Future You
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March 2017 41
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