Dear Little Girl,

Sometimes growing up is lonely, because no one else can do it for you.

Try not to get too deep into the vices that come with growing pains, feeling alone, and shedding old skin to accommodate a new and better-fitting one.

You’re friends aren’t always going to be there, and sometimes you’ll even feel a real disconnect from them. When that happens, just do you. There are times when that’s the only important thing in life. The real ones, after all, will always be there, the ones that were just passing through, won’t, but by the time you get to where you are headed, it won’t matter to you anymore anyway.

Stay strong. It’s easy to just give up and give in to bad habits that you think are justified by depression, anger or discontent. Sure, you can drink yourself silly every night, do drugs, and stay home and let your sadness take over, but let me ask you this- Aside from you, who loses?

That’s right, nobody. So, there you will be, alone anyway. Wouldn’t you rather spend your time being alone and growing, building and learning than being alone and lonely, stagnant and bitter? Don’t even front, you know I’m right.

Need help? Ask for it. Sometimes even your closest friends and family are too involved in their own lives to see that you need it.

If all else fails- reflect, write, draw, build. Do something that will bring you closer to the answers you are looking for, because like I said, at the end of the day, it can only come from you.

-E