Dear 14-year old Molly,
Here are my pearls of wisdom that I wish you (I) would have known.
Firstly, the emo phase is not cool. You think it is, but really you just look stupid, wearing stripy gloves and band t-shirts. Even though, I still wear band t-shirts, just with cool bands on them like sex pistols! Also, you may think Brendon Urie is literally God, but he recently did a song with Taylor Swift and in my eyes that isn't cool or punk rock. However, at the time of me writing this letter, Fall Out Boy, Green Day and Weezer are going on tour together, so I know you'd be super excited about that.
I'm also giving you a word of warning now, your group of friends will change. More than once. The friends I have now are some of the most wonderful people I have ever met, and they are in your life already. What I would suggest is befriending them properly now, so you don't waste any time <3. The friends you do lose are just people who don't fit into your life, and that's okay. It was meant to happen. You gain amazing, incredible friends who are going to be there for you. And, when you get your part time job (let's be honest, you're desperate for the money), you will meet the nicest people ever, and I am so happy they are in my life right now. However, another word of warning. Someone in your life currently is going to turn out to be not a very nice person, so be prepared, the aftermath is not pretty. But, your true friends are there to pick you back up.
I know you think that having a boyfriend is the biggest concern in your life right now, but don't worry, because I'm still freaking out over it now, even at 17! It's not a big deal, but it will feel like it. Also, some of the boys you had a crush turned out to be not very nice people, so.
Aside from that, you will become okay-ish at putting makeup on your face and being able to dress yourself with some ounce of style (No black ripped jeans)! Molly, you still love to read, even if I don't read as often as I would like. Also, Harry Potter is still the best book/movie franchise EVER, and they bring out like five new movies in the near future so prepare yourself. You're also not as pale anymore, because 17 year old Molly has discovered fake tan and will apply it whenever she feels like a ghost.
Your family are great. I know it may seem that you want to run away from home right now, and never come back, but trust me, that feeling will soon pass and you won't want to leave. Barney is still a little annoying though! I also know that in year nine something horrendous happens and I know you didn't deal with it very well, but I'm positive Nanny Nolan is looking down on you and is so proud. Well, I hope shes proud.
Your health will deteriorate, sometime at the start of year ten. It will be really traumatising and literally almost kill you, but you come out the other side even stronger. Also, did you know that your allergic to penicillin? Neither did I. Never ask to get your ears pierced, that's all I'm saying. Your mental health is okay at the moment, but it will get worse after the stint in hospital and at the thought of your GCSEs. Just, take a deep breath, and ask for help if you need it, because you will need it when May 2018 rolls around.
Speaking of GCSEs, don't stress too much. They aren't as hard as they look and you actually come out with alright grades. Just, don't mention drama. School gets worse, then better, then worse again. Everyone in your year is actually really nice, and you go on to be friends with a lot of them. School goes by so quickly and next thing you know you're sitting in your room with three folders surrounding you, crying into your notebook because A-Levels are hard. Like, really hard. But, I don't know how that bit finishes because that is what I was doing last night, dreading the thought of being in year 13 and going off to university in just under a year. I'm still figuring stuff out, but at least I have a small idea of what I am doing.
I hope this letter helps you Molly, because these are the things I wish I knew almost four years ago. I'm pretty much talking to myself, so I'm going to stop here.
Love yourself, be brave, be louder. Seriously, talk in class.
Good Luck,
17 year old Molly x