Talk. Your World Will World Better.

Dear Reader,

It all started with a talk.

As I’m headed into my final year of high school with a solid support system, I find myself reminiscing about my final year of elementary school.

That girl seemed happy. She had a big group of friends and a big group of crushes. She constantly had her nose in a book, was constantly dreaming up yet another new story.

But that girl was far from happy.

She was sad. “How I berate myself for being a freak.”

She was secretive. “But now I’m the girl who likes reading, writing, music, food, and who may or may not have social anxiety, and just a smidge of bipolar disorder, who may be gay.”

She was suicidal. “And the S word crosses my mind too often to be healthy.”

I always thought if I could talk to my younger self, I would have so much advice for her. Eat healthier. Drink the water. Don’t stay up reading. Write the book. Live bigger, better, beautifuller.

But honestly? If I could tell my 13 year old self anything, all I would want to tell her would be talk.

Talk to your friends. Share secrets. Form bonds with them. Chances are they’re going through a lot of the same struggles as you are. And if they aren’t? Your world will keep on worlding.

Talk to the boy you like. Befriend him. Tell him how you feel. Maybe he’ll like you back. And if he doesn’t? Your world will keep on worlding.

Talk to your little siblings. Your sisters completely understand your struggles. Your brother is compassionate, and intelligent, and funny. He will do his best to understand. And if they don’t? Your world will keep on worlding.

Talk to your dad. He shares your pet peeves, and debating with him will strengthen your opinions and your relationship. And if it doesn’t? Your world will keep on worlding.

Talk to your mom about your anxiety and your thoughts. She will advocate for you until you can advocate for yourself. She gets it. And if she doesn’t? Your world will keep on worlding.

One way or another, your world will keep on worlding. But if you talk to people about how you’re feeling, your world will keep on worlding, but . . . better.

Talk to people like you. They get it. You can befriend each other, and your world will world better.

Talk to the boy you like. He likes you back. You can date each other, and your world will world better.

Talk to your little siblings. They get it. You can love each other despite (or because of?) your shared struggles, and your world will world better.

Talk to your dad. He shares your experiences, even if he doesn’t quite understand them. You can argue gently with each other, and your world will world better.

Talk to your mom. She can get you help, get you diagnosed with autism, which will explain everything. You can help each other, and your world will world better.

One way or another, your world will keep on worlding. May as well make it world better. Talk to people. Maybe text. Just share your words, your thoughts, your feelings, okay?

The girl in her final year of elementary school was so sad, so secretive, so suicidal.

The girl in her final year of high school is so sweet, so smart, so strong.

And it all started with a talk.

Love, Magic