A new essay by Kim Hye-jeong, author of "Diet School" and "Hiking Girls."
A letter from me, now a 'normal adult', to my teenage self.

The third book in the [Self-Esteem Class for Teens] series, which contains the comfort and support of 'real adults' who communicate with teenagers in various fields, has been published with 'Fortunately, I Became a Good Adult' by author Hye-Jeong Kim, who meets teenagers through over 100 lectures every year.
Author Kim Hye-jeong, who is considered a representative children's and young adult writer, conveys comfort and encouragement to current teenagers through this book in the form of a letter to her teenage self.
Based on the questions and concerns of teenagers I encountered during my lectures, I wrote a letter with kind and practical advice to me who was anxious about exams, to me who was frustrated with my friends, to me who was struggling with emotional ups and downs, to me who had hit rock bottom in self-esteem, and to me who was terrified of the future.
The author's small successes and many failures, as well as the twists and turns he went through until he became a normal adult, are vividly portrayed.
Even though becoming an adult can be overwhelming and scary, there is a natural encouragement that you can grow into a good adult through this time.

There are probably few people who don't feel anxious before an exam.
Most students feel anxious before exams.
The reason is because of ‘the desire to do well on the test.’
If you have no interest in the test results, there is no reason to be anxious.
Whether you studied a lot or a little, it's all the same whether you feel anxious.
Some people will tell you that you are anxious because you did not study, but I absolutely do not agree with this!
--- p.16

Just because I failed that test, failed that relationship, or didn't get into that company, doesn't mean my entire life is a failure.
Life isn't just filled with failure or success.
It's just a 'result' of something.
It is not the result but the 'process' that takes up most of life.
Life isn't all about results.
Don't live only for the results.
--- p.37

If many people hate me, I should reflect on whether there is something wrong with my actions.
But if only certain people hate me, there's nothing more I can do.
If I did something wrong and I want to fix it and make things different, then I can fix it.
But if I'm hated for something I can't fix, it's not my fault.
It's not my problem.

--- p.65

It doesn't matter how many times you've been in a relationship or how old you were when you first had it.
Adults' saying that you can date a lot if you just go to college is not true.
People who can't date even after going to college continue to be unable to date.
That's because those people aren't ready for love.
I sincerely hope that when you need a relationship, you will meet the right person for you and have a proper relationship.
Even if you don't have that kind of partner right now, don't be impatient.
--- p.83

There's one thing I really want to tell you if you're trying to diet.
I hope you don't do it while hating your own body.
Ask yourself why you want to lose weight.
You're doing it for me, not for anyone else.
It's not right to do it for me and hate me.
--- p.148

Hye-jeong, you're going through your teenage years, are you having a hard time right now? I wish I could offer you some comforting words, but I'm sorry, the rest of your teenage years, and even your twenties, will be difficult.
But it is because I went through that time that I am who I am today.
thank you.
Because you're holding up well.
I'm doing well as an adult.
I will support you as you become stronger little by little.
Take good care of yourself.

--- From "Epilogue"