Berry Liberman, who grew up in Melbourne, is the editor and publisher of Dumbo Feather magazine and co-founder of Small Giants, which nurtures and empowers businesses that are focused on a more socially equitable and environmentally sustainable world.

Dear teenage Berry,

Everything is going to be alright. I promise. You will have a long and sometimes challenging journey – a bit like Lord of the Rings, with some bad monsters, some kind friends, a few wise teachers and a guardian wizard or two. It will totally be worth it.

I know you like instant gratification! You want what you want NOW. I’m afraid you will have to learn to love the journey, not the end point. This will be very hard for you because you want things to be perfect – but bad luck, kiddo! Nothing is perfect, no one is perfect and it is better to do something than not do it because you’re afraid it won’t be good enough. DO IT ANYWAY. If you’re worried what your mum will think, or your dad, or your sister or brother or friends or the cute boy in English class … well, that’s a waste of time. The truth is that the people who end up having a good time and a good life are the ones who show up. The ones who care – who have passion and put their whole hearts into things. It may not be cool right now – but what’s cool in year seven and eight isn’t cool when you’re older.

Things right now for you are okay, but soon something really bad is going to happen … I can’t tell you what but it will change your world. It will be very sad. When things are sad you have to take care of yourself. Do nice things. Read good books, watch great movies, write, be inspired, spend time with the people you love, get lots of sleep and eat nourishing food. DON’T BE HARD ON YOURSELF. Lie down on the grass in the sunshine and let the earth hold you up if you’re having a hard day. Don’t give any time to mean and nasty people. Just keep walking. You can’t be liked by everyone so don’t even try. I promise you everything is going to be alright. You need to trust in yourself. Make friends with people who love you for who you are, not what you have or what you can do for them.

Don’t be afraid to immerse yourself in your books and your music and lots and lots of daydreaming. It’s important because once you become a grown-up there’s so much pressure to stop daydreaming. About boys – well, the good news is you will go out with a few who aren’t so right for you but in the end you will find the best boy in the world. He will think of you as his equal. He will want to share with you everything. Your happiness and your sadness, your strengths and your weaknesses. He will be kind, and that is the most important thing. He will support your work, your creative life, having a family – all of it. It will be fun and life can be full of love once you learn to trust yourself. Before you meet him, though – HAVE LOTS OF FUN!

You will go on big journeys into the world and into your soul. It is important. Don’t panic. Growing up is going to require a lot of thoughtful navigation. School is only a short time in a long life – make it count. Sign up for choir and the play and be brave and laugh a lot.

This may not make sense right now but remember this: Comparison is the death of happiness – so just be yourself. Sending you mountains of love from twenty-five years in the future,

Berry xox