Need to be thin.

In the 7th grade, you’ll hear for the first time that you’re imperfect, disgusting, and that you need to change you body in order for people to like you. Don’t believe it. Don’t let this fester inside of you, because it is poison. In an effort to change yourself, you will try starve off the love-handles and belly, go on numerous secret diets, and spend far too much time hating yourself. I need to tell you that you never reach what you think of now as “skinny”. But I do want you to know that one day you’ll get to this amazing place where you love your body without feeling that it needs to be changed.

When your aunt compliments you on losing weight after going two weeks with little food because you’re in a bad place emotionally, remember that your mind is more important than your body. Try not to feel like losing weight is an accomplishment. When your boyfriend tells you how to wear your hair, I want you to dump him and wear your hair however you want. When the TV tells you you’re not good enough, I want you to change the channel and eat that brownie anyway.

I know you worry that you’ll never be loved, but I promise you that you will grow up to be loved by many people, to experience amazing things, to grow into someone you’re proud of — and you’ll do it all without having to change your body into something it doesn’t want to be.

Please be gentle with yourself. Remember that you’re still learning, and it’s okay to make mistakes. And you will most definitely make mistakes. Learn how to apologize and mean it, learn how to forgive yourself. I’m still working on that one myself, but maybe if you get a head start you’ll get there sooner.