Advice I'd Give My Daughter

Sex is not power. Anyone can have sex, and most guys would have sex with a bar of soap if it looked like it wanted it, so make sure you don't lower yourself to that level. Don't be the soap. Be you.

Even if you don't quite know who you are yet, its good to pretend you're important. People will treat you the same way you treat yourself. Every time. Its like the Golden Rule flipped inside out. So don't mope around thinking you're a piece of crap, and don't put up with anyone who wants to treat you like one. Because the people that do that are only doing it because they feel like pieces of crap themselves. Look for this, and you'll realize its true.

Make sure you look good. If you like the way you look, or at least put effort into it, you'll realize you feel better about yourself. This means that, yes, sometimes shopping therapy is necessary. Because its good to feel fabulous. All the time, if possible.

Accept the fact that no one is going to rescue you. Do not be fooled by romance novels and chick flicks. Do not live your life waiting for something to happen to you that will change everything. In the end, you are the one who brings about all the changes. Don't surrender that right to anybody else.

Be the change you want to see in YOURSELF. Stop thinking of yourself in terms of what other people see, and think of yourself in terms of what you see in yourself.

People can change. But don't expect it out of anybody but you. If you wait for someone to change, you could be waiting your whole life. Realize that sometimes timing just sucks, and there's nothing you can do about it. It doesn't matter how cute he is, if his life is a mess you can't expect him to clean it up just because he met you. The only thing you will ever have control over is yourself. Don't ever forget that.

If you're waiting to do something while no one's watching, you shouldn't do it at all.

Feed the fish in the fish tank, and know you are needed.

Secrets are not beautiful. They won't keep you warm at night, and they trap you in ways you can't even understand right now. Be honest with yourself AND other people. Its beautiful and it will make you feel good.

Religion is not "gay." Despite the hilarity of some televangelists, faith in God is the best possible thing to have in your life. Talk to him. But most importantly, listen to him. If you stop and just listen, he'll always tell you what to do.
Matter of fact, stop right now and make an effort to listen. This time, when you ask a question, don't you strangely feel like you already know the answer? Stop and do this at least once a day. It will change your life.

Don't drink. I know you will, though. Please remember that alcohol is a depressant, it makes you gain weight, and that even when you think you are totally in control, you aren't.

ps- If I catch you drinking I WILL kill you.

Don't get wrapped up in what you think is cool. Remember that your life is short. Time passes quickly. Your youth will fade. You'll be thirty one day. And you'll look back on all the things you did at your age and think... what? Do everything with your future in mind. The present is its best predictor.

Drugs will make you barf. Including herbal drugs. Especially herbal drugs.

Sometimes you have to stop talking to people who allow you to behave unhealthily. If they're holding you back, you don't need them. Don't feel bad letting them go, and don't feel like you have to explain a thing. Change your phone number. Delete your social network. Read a good book. Buy new clothes. Dye your hair. Reinvent yourself.

It is impossible to screw up so badly that you can't ever have a fresh start. The only thing keeping you from the best version of yourself is you.

Be good to your family members. Don't hide things from them. Don't be ashamed of them. They are a part of who you are, and they'll never stop loving you.

And finally,
Eat fruit.
Drink milk.
Don't smoke.
You will thank me later.