A Letter To: 12 Year Old Chiara
A Letter To is a feature where I write a letter to something. This thing may be a person, or a character, a book, or an author. In essence, A Letter To is a way to convey my emotions for whatever/whomever the letter is written to. I would like to thank the lovely Cee for inspiring this feature.
Today’s letter is to:
12 Year Old Me
Note: I was inspired by this post to write a letter to a younger version of myself, and this is what happened.
Dear 12 Year Old Chiara,
Hold on to your seatbelt, darling, because this year is going to be hard.
You’ll start high school without your best friend by your side, and you’ll have no idea what to do when lunchtime comes, and you’ll find yourself wishing that there was no such thing as lunchtime at all.
You’ll go to the library during these lunchtimes and discover YA, and books about girls in attics, and books about boys who fall in love with rainbow girls. You’ll think you’ve found a friend there, but it won’t work out.
You’ll try out for the musical and land a chorus part, and come home crying every Wednesday because you hate it so much, and it makes you feel like shit on the bottom of a shoe.
You’ll be called a slut for the first time, and adorably you will answer “I think you have to be having sex to be a slut!” You will also be called fat (but that’s happened before), and a lesbian (it will happen again).
You’ll catch a bus for the first time, and make a friend there. She’ll be your best friend for the next seven years.
You’ll ask your mum to teach you how to shave your legs because the boy you kissed in preschool called you a dyke and pointed at your legs.
You’ll be called an emo, and adorably you will answer “I’d rather be an emo than an emotionless ape”.
You’ll have a really big crush on your fellow class captain, and the whole class will say you should get together, but you blush and say ‘no’.
You’ll get in a fight with your best friend from primary school because you say you know her, and you’ll never talk to each other again.
You’ll wish ardently that by the time you’re 17 you’ll be beautiful.
You’ll get blonde highlights in your hair for the first time.
You’ll get laughed at because you don’t go to the weekend dances that everyone else does. But then a boy will come to your aid and give that bitch a taste of her own medicine. He will also call you his mermaid girl, and you’ll fall a little in love with him.
You’ll get through it all. You’ll make it to the end of the year. You’ll do it, even though it is really hard. But there are easier years ahead, and even harder ones yet to come. But you can do it, 12 year old Chiara.
Because you are beautiful, and you are strong. You are all the things you wish you could be, but you just don’t know it yet.
All my love, and I’ll see you in the future,
You sound as if you were a pretty awesome, confident twelve-year-old!
Thank you! It definitely didn’t feel that way, haha.
This was beautiful Chiara. I think we’d all have so many words of advice to tell our old selves – that’s the price of growing up, I guess.
Oh, also your twelve year old come-backs are probably better than my twenty-two year old come-backs, so you know. You must have been pretty badass!
Beth x
Thank you, Beth. I’m glad you liked it ^.^
Baha! I’m STILL surprised that I was able to think of the comebacks on the spot. It usually takes me a few hours XD
This is gorgeous, Chiara. Honestly. I love reading stuff like this because it simultaneously breaks my heart while managing to be uplifting.
I can totally relate to that thing with your best friend *sigh* story of my life
Thank you, Allie! And I know what you mean. It was quite emotional writing this one.
Ugh, me too. It’s never really worked out for me.
It’s like I got to see how time toughens you and you came out strong & great woman out of all the situations you’d been through. Such a lovely letter! (I wonder if I can pull off something like this ^^;)
Oh, Mitchii! <3
And you could definitely write something like this! And I would love to read it :D
This is so beautiful Chiara. I think we all have things to say to our younger selves. I think I want to make a post like this too and thanks so much for inspiring me <3
Thank you, Paula! And I’m glad you’re inspired to write one :D
Aww, this is such a beautiful letter – I’m glad you’re a confident and beautiful person<3 Hope you never change :) I agree about the best friend though!
Thank you so much, Benish! I hope you never change, either ^.^ <3
Holy crap, Chiara I teared up so much. Maybe when I’m you’re age, I’m going to have to write something like this. I’m only fourteen and most of what you said is what’s happening to me right now so thank you so much for this. God, I’m crying so hard rn.
Oh, Nova, darling! *hugging you* You will get through everything, I promise. It feels like it’s never going to end – but it does. If you ever need someone to chat to, I’m here. <3 <3 <3
Wow, Chiara, this is so lovely. What a great idea. You are very brave blogging this, for sharing something so personal.
Thank you, Rochelle! :)
Wow this was so beautiful to read Chiara! It’s awesome that you shared the struggles you faced because they all shape who we are now, lovely post!
I’m glad you liked it, Safah! <3