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Rachel Renée Russell

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Dork Diaries Book 14

Dork Diaries

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Ask Brandon

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Tongue Tied
Salon Brianna

May 12, 2019

MY LIFE IS SUCH A MESS!!!

Hey Brandon!

This question might seem kinda weird, but it’s serious: How do YOU do it all? You give out good advice, you’re a great friend to Nikki, you volunteer at Fuzzy Friends, you keep up with school and photography, and somehow, you manage to keep your temper and life under control! How? I feel like I’m always messing everything up. Please help!

Me And My Messy, Miserable Life

What’s Up Me And My Messy, Miserable Life,

Okay, I’m going to level with you. In the past week, all of these things happened: I got a B- on a test I really should have aced but I was exhausted because I stayed up way too late playing games on my phone; I was super impatient with my grandfather when he couldn’t figure out how to use the remote for the new TV after I explained it, like, five times; I got so busy that I forgot to return a call from my best friend, Max Crumbly; I also forgot to take the trash out for my grandmother, so we missed the garbage truck and ended up with a garage that smelled like fresh skunk for several days. On top of that, I accidentally gave a Fuzzy Friends dog cat food!

But, am I going to write about those things in this column? Well, I guess I just did. But not normally. Just like I don’t normally post my worst photos on Instagram, either. I carefully pick the ones that make me look like an excellent photographer.

We all do it – show the world a certain version of ourselves, and it’s not that we’re lying. When I post an amazing photo, I did take it and I’m proud of it. But I also probably took 37 other terrible photos that I refused to share.

The truth is that comparing the real, honest version of yourself to the “perfect” version of other people is completely unfair. It’s like comparing how you look first thing in the morning to how a model looks on the cover of a magazine. Even models wake up with messy hair and eye boogers.

So, as you can see, I CAN’T and DON’T “do it all.” Not well, anyway. I mess up. Kind of a lot, actually. But most of the time I’m trying my best, like I’m sure most people are.

Maybe I’ll make more of an effort to show the mistakes sometimes, too. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to share my best photos, the ones I’m most proud of. However, I can also be proud of all the not-so-great photos it takes to get to that one great photo.

But enough about me. Let’s talk about YOU. I hope you’re feeling a lot less messy and miserable now that you know the truth. Nobody’s perfect, and the only way to reach perfection is through your mistakes. They teach you how to be a better person since you’ll remember not to make them again.

Let me share some logical, tried and true advice that can make any messy, miserable life into a neat, awesome one. It has worked for me, and I believe it’ll work for you, too! When you have a moment, ask yourself, “What would I like to change about myself or my life?” Be sure to choose stuff you have control over.

For example:

  1. You might not have any control over when your teacher plans a test, but you can control how well you listen in class and how hard you study the notes you’ve taken so that you can do well on it.
  2. You can’t control how your grandma always makes you take out the trash, but you can control knowing whenever garbage day rolls around and making sure it’s out on the curbside before she even asks.
  3. You have no control over every past mistake you’ve ever made, but you do have control over how you handle things today and in the future.

As for keeping your cool, check out my advice on how to control your temper by clicking here. Above all else, please remember not to be upset about your mistakes because you’re not the only one who makes them, and they’re what make you better.

Do you ever compare yourself to someone else? What do you do to build yourself up and calm yourself down when life gets messy? Tell us about it in the comments section below.

Category: Ask Brandon nikki

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Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    June 1, 2019 at 2:08 pm

    thank you for going to answer my letter and giving me advise.

  2. ILONA says

    June 1, 2019 at 3:46 am

    BEING A DORK IS LIVING THE LIFE

  3. Dorkalicious says

    May 31, 2019 at 9:40 am

    I suffer the same thing every day

  4. CCP Queen says

    May 27, 2019 at 8:34 pm

    I wish I was a dork

    • PRINCESS OF DORKS says

      May 29, 2019 at 8:51 am

      SAME HERE
      I MEAN I AM ALREADY A DORK IN MY SCHOOL

    • karate kid says

      May 31, 2019 at 5:59 am

      dork doesnt necessary mean a cool dork like it says in the books

    • Fierce and Confidence❤️ says

      May 31, 2019 at 10:03 am

      Nice, but you should be confident with you. just be you. I mean, maybe you are a dork. And you just don’t know yet. But for now, be you girl!-Fierce and Confidence❤️

  5. TsundeRie says

    May 27, 2019 at 2:26 pm

    Me, and My Miserable Life,

    I had also my miserable life, but it’s even worse since,

    I had to deal with my 2 future mean ccp classmates (cause I’m their senpai, the senior)
    I suck on everything *arrgh* and,
    I’m the usual ‘maid’ in our home (even also I’m a family member)

    But you know, life is still wonderful, so live with it! Be POSITIVE!!! >_<

  6. Crystal Gemma says

    May 27, 2019 at 4:14 am

    Dear Mikayla, I have a similar friend like you! Go ahead and take this advise:
    ~ Find out what he likes(e.g sport, reading..)and try showing it to him!
    ~ Probably the most hardest option, telling him you like him
    ~ Hang out with him
    That’s about it! (I’m sorry about what happened to you, Fangirl!)
    xoxo

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