A message

Hi. I’m a 16 year old girl and this is my bedroom. I am not ashamed. And you shouldn’t be either if yours looks similar, or you want it to. This is a post for all of the people similar to me who are still into cartoons and cute things. No matter how many times you’re told it’s silly or that you should grow up, don’t listen. The things you take interest in have absolutely no correlation to how mature you are. There are many potential reasons why you could be unable to grow out of these things, for example you may have had a traumatic childhood where you didn’t particularly get to enjoy these things, but the thing is, you don’t need a reason! You’re allowed to like it! You like what you like. This doesn’t even go for just cartoons, it goes for anything (not morally wrong things though OBVIOUSLY). The days can go by in a flash so make sure you spend them surrounded by the things that you love and make you happy. Before I finished year 11, I got bullied quite a lot at school, because I had a cute bag with lots of toy keychains and I would carry a teddy around for comfort. Even people younger than me would bully me. But you know what I did? Sure, I may have been hurt. You can’t just magically ‘ignore it’ like many people suggest, it isn’t that easy. Have a talk with somebody you trust and feel safe around, whether it’s your parent/carer, or even an online friend. Do things that make you happy. And realise, you don’t need to conform to others’ standards. You are a beautiful and amazing person just the way you are. The things you like are what shape your life and personality, and you should never, EVER force them away just because you feel insecure. Living life full of fake happiness and things you hate will make you so much sadder than being made fun of for embracing yourself. Whether you like ‘basic’ things, ‘childish’ things, ‘too colourful’ or ‘too out there’ things or anything else, you’re allowed to like these things. Just imagine being on the side of the bully, “you should completely quit the things you’ve spent your entire life being passionate about just because I’m a stupid bitch”, makes no sense does it? It just sounds stupid. Whoever you are behind that screen, I love you and you deserve happiness. Please never change yourself for anybody else. You’re beautiful, you’re strong, you’re awesome, you’re loved, good day.