VDay

So you know when you just let your mind wander and one thought leads to another and you start thinking about all kinds of random unrelated but semi-related stuff? Well, I did that today as I walked to my Friday morning coffee shop (creature of habit, anyone?). Here's my train of thought:

a) Today is Friday the 13th. I hope nothing bad happens.

b) That means that tomorrow is Valentines Day and it falls on a Saturday.

c) In grade school when a holiday fell on a weekend we would have a party on the Friday before.

d) All those little schoolkids are having their Valentines parties today with cupcakes and Hannah Montana valentines and craft projects.

e) Valentines Day in Jr. High was the worst. So much pressure and anticipation and nervousness and boys just ended up being idiots anyway. 

f) Actually the boys were probably the smart ones for not making Valentines Day a big deal. Girls are crazy.

g) Poor Jr. High girls. So many of you are going to cry yourselves to sleep tonight.

I don't know any Jr. High age girls personally so I'm going to write a letter of caution and wisdom to 12-14 year old girls in general. Here goes:

Ladies, 

Hows it going? How are things lately? Lemme guess: you have a crush and you're not sure if he likes you back, you think you're fat/have bad skin, your friends are mean to you sometimes for no reason at all, and your parents are ridiculous. Am I close? I thought so.

I've been there and it sucks. Jr. High really truly is the worst. Your hormones are going out of control, you're super insecure, you just want to be older and cooler, and you have no control over your lives at all. Sucks to be YOU.

All this worrying about boys and body image and friends and your personal identity is only the beginning. It never stops. Well, not for 10 years at least and I'm pretty sure people feel this way past 24- I just haven't gotten there yet. Can you chill out a bit? Try to put off worrying as long as you can. Don't do the makeup thing, don't try to get away with the skimpiest clothes the dress code will allow, don't buy low-fat yogurt, don't try so hard to sit next to the guy you like at the movie- just don't do it. 

Be a nerd. Omg social suicide? Right...guess what? People that were nerds in Jr. High usually turn out to be cool later on. And people that are cool in Jr. High usually turn out to be super insecure and annoying later on. The only exception that I can think of is Tyra Banks, who was a total dork in Jr. High and is a total freakshow now. But no one should base their choices on what Tyra does.

So for Valentines Day how about not spending 4-5 school nights worrying about how to let your crush know you like him without looking desperate. How about hanging out with your girlfriends and NOT TALKING ABOUT BOYS. Talk about books or movies or clothes or ANYTHING but boys. Trust me, they're not talking about you and are having much more fun. 

Why do I care? I've been where you are and, looking back, I wasted so much time and energy creating unnecessary drama and pain. Don't do it. Have fun and don't give a shit. You have plenty of time.

Luv your Gurrl,

Annnnn