Don’t wear too much lipstick Don’t wear too much lip stain, but whatever you doDon’t you dare complainDon’t be too pale but Don’t be too tanDon’t workout too much or you’ll look like a man Don’t be too short butDon’t be too tallDon’t be opinionated Don’t think at allDon’t be too funnyDon’t be too proud, but whatever you doDon’t be too loudDon’t forget your mannersDon’t forget your placeDon’t forget to wash all that shit off your face Don’t stay out late butDon’t stay shut inDon’t be too sarcastic or chagrin Don’t eat too muchDon’t be too fatDon’t stay at home all day with your cats Don’t be too skinnyDon’t roll your eyesDon’t forget to always be niceDon’t be ungrateful Don’t forget to say pleaseDon’t show your shoulders, your breasts or your knees Don’t be a bitchDon’t be too niceDon’t cry in public Don’t make a sceneDon’t turn into a hysterical drama queenDon’t be a buzz killDon’t be a prudeDon’t turn down his advances flat because that would be rudeDon’t be too smart because no one likes a nerdDon’t speak too loudly because then you will be heard Don’t dress too sexy Don’t be a slutDon’t be anything that you wantDon’t embarrass the boys by not laughing at their jokesDon’t be creativeDon’t be confident Don’t be fakeDon’t trust your friendsDon’t be anything other than a polite mannequin Don’t listen to anything that has been written aboveDon’t forget that you are deserving of loveDon’t forget you’re perfect the way that you areDon’t be afraid to proudly wear you battle scars like the badges of honor that they areDon’t insult yourself or call yourself dumbDon’t give in to self deprecating humor because others think that it’s fun Don’t put down other women because then others will tooDon’t forget that we are all in this together me & you Don’t be afraid but it’s ok if you areDon’t let your voice be silenced even when it’s hard Don’t let him hit youDon’t let him call you namesDon’t be with anyone who prioritizes you below video gamesDon’t give up because you are strongDon’t forget you matter even when you’re alone Don’t be afraid to strike out on your own Don’t be afraid to failDon’t consider failure anything other than a footnote in your own taleDon’t be afraid to get up every time you fallDon’t forget to rebel against what is wrong Don’t forget you’re beautiful especially your flawsDon’t be afraid to bite and use your clawsDon’t forget I love youDon’t forget you’re strong Don’t forget that even when you feel lost you’re right where you belong- Ashley Finley