12 No-Bullshit Tips for Teenage Girls

This began as a letter to my younger self, but it gradually turned into a letter to all younger girls. This is things I want younger girls to know, the girls that don't have an older sister to be taught things, the girls that don't have an older anyone, the girls that just don't really know.

I didn't want this to be the whole "everything happens for a reason" bullshit, I wanted it to be real, practical tips that can actually be put into motion. Hope you are ready for this, I'm not going to be shy with this one.

1. You are not as fat as you think you are.
   You will look at yourself in the mirror all through your teenage years wishing you were thinner but the truth is you'll get to adulthood and look at your former body and wish you still looked like that. You shouldn't because you're an adult now and you've changed, you have grown, wishing for that teenage body does no one any good. The mirror is lying to you, your mind is lying to you. You look fucking fabulous.
   

2. You're probably going to lose touch with everyone after high school.
   The number of people I talk to from high school: 1- my boyfriend.
   I mean there are people who come out of high school and have life long friends but don't be hard on yourself if you come away with one or two friends.
   

3. Always pee after sex.
   You know in the movies when they have sex and then its all cuddles and laying around in bed. Real-life is not like that. Unless you would like to get a UTI (they hurt, avoid at all costs) you will go to the bathroom and pee, even if you don't need to.
   

4. BUT don't feel pressured to have sex.
   I believe that sex is not as sacred as it can be made out be (watch me cop some comments about that) but in the same breathe if you don't want to have sex, then you shouldn't feel obligated to. It is your body and you are ALWAYS allowed to say no.
   

5. Don't pluck your own eyebrows. Ever.
   Go to a professional for that shit, always. And actually, while we are here, don't take to your eyebrows with a razor (yep- I did that, thankfully there is no photographic evidence.) Leave your eyebrows to someone who knows what they are doing.
   

6. If they don't respect you, you don't need them. This goes for all people- boyfriends, girlfriends, non-labeled sexual partners, parents, siblings, cousins- everyone. You deserve nothing but the utmost respect, don't settle for anything less. Demand that respect, always, from everyone.
   

7. Fully charge your phone before going out.
   Clubbing. Dinner. Concerts. The local pub- always have your phone charged. You never know when you'll need to contact someone ASAP, need an uber, need your phone for something. Always charge your phone before leaving or have one of those little portable chargers in your handbag.
   

8. Have an "emergency fund".
   Admittedly this was not something I did and that was a mistake on my part. When you get your first job you will be SO tempted to spend every paycheque on things like food and clothes and whatever else but you should definitely start putting small amounts away in an account where you can't be tempted to spend it for a rainy day.
   

9. Don't put up with sexism or racism, ever.
   Don't stand for that shit- call it out and don't let it blow over. We need to stop that shit at the core of it, if you hear someone say something sexist or racist, tell them. Never, never put up with it.
   

10. Washing your face with water is not enough.
    From an early-ish age, you should invest in some kind of skincare- cleanser and moisturiser are the two most important things ever. Make sure you get one suited to your individual type of skin and always remember that the fewer ingredients you cannot actually pronounce, the better.
    

11. Never ignore your mental health!!!!!
    This one deserved that many exclamation points, believe me. There is a difference between sadness and depression and you will know when it's not just sadness anymore. You will know when it's not just a little anxiety anymore. You know yourself. Know when you need to seek help.
    

12. If you don't want it to come back and haunt you- don't put it online.
    Once it is online it is there forever. You may delete your original post but there is always a way for something to come back and haunt you- always.

Have you got other tips for younger girls? Let's hear them, yu can never have too many life tips!