Dear 18-year-old Sarah,
Hey there, it's me... future you.
As you prepare for college and all the ups and downs that your 20s will encompass, I'm writing to you with all the wisdom that you will acquire over the next 15 years.
Please... listen closely.
Things aren't going to happen the way you imagine, but don't let that stop you from enjoying what does come your way.
As you prepare for college and all the ups and downs that your 20s will encompass, I'm writing to you with all the wisdom that you will acquire over the next 15 years.
Please... listen closely.
Things aren't going to happen the way you imagine, but don't let that stop you from enjoying what does come your way.
Respect and take care of your body. It's the only one you'll ever get. You need rest, exercise, and healthy nutrition. I know it seems awesome that you can eat Big Macs, sleep for only six hours a night, and hardly exercise, but these bad habits will eventually come back to haunt you. Wear sunscreen.
Work hard to be a kind and trustworthy friend, but don't stress out too much about your high school friendships. Some will stand the test of time, and others will ultimately fail, no matter what you do to try and preserve them. Luckily, the true friends you gain in the future will meet and often exceed the expectations set by your childhood friendships.
Stay busy and healthy to avoid depression. And no matter what happens, do not take antidepressants. They will royally screw up your metabolism and you'll spend the rest of your life trying to undo the damage.
Stay in school. You're going to have several massive breakdowns throughout college, but no matter what happens, keep your chin up. Be proud of yourself for all that you have accomplished, and continue pushing forward. Dropping out to "find yourself and figure out what you want" will ultimately be a complete waste of time.
Don't ever change yourself for someone else — especially a guy. It's hard to understand now, but the perfect person is going to love you for exactly who you are, not who they think you should be. Love is amazing, but guard your heart, and take things slow. Don't fall in love for the sake of falling in love. Love yourself before loving someone else. You deserve so much, and he's not worth the heartache.
I wish I could prepare you for the heartbreak of losing a loved one. You will experience this many times in the future, so remember to cherish the times you have with the ones you love the most.
Respect and appreciate your parents, and create lasting, meaningful relationships with your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Don't drink too much — especially tequila. You'll regret it almost every time. Get yourself a glass of water and save yourself a a couple bucks and a lot of embarrassment.
Be confident and brave. Be generous and kind. Be happy.
Don't lose yourself. Remember that it's important to have roots and wings.
It's okay to make mistakes. Own them, learn from them, and move on.
Regardless of your choices, I'll stand by whoever you become. Because the mistakes you make will shape who you are — and that's me.
Work hard to be a kind and trustworthy friend, but don't stress out too much about your high school friendships. Some will stand the test of time, and others will ultimately fail, no matter what you do to try and preserve them. Luckily, the true friends you gain in the future will meet and often exceed the expectations set by your childhood friendships.
Stay busy and healthy to avoid depression. And no matter what happens, do not take antidepressants. They will royally screw up your metabolism and you'll spend the rest of your life trying to undo the damage.
Stay in school. You're going to have several massive breakdowns throughout college, but no matter what happens, keep your chin up. Be proud of yourself for all that you have accomplished, and continue pushing forward. Dropping out to "find yourself and figure out what you want" will ultimately be a complete waste of time.
Don't ever change yourself for someone else — especially a guy. It's hard to understand now, but the perfect person is going to love you for exactly who you are, not who they think you should be. Love is amazing, but guard your heart, and take things slow. Don't fall in love for the sake of falling in love. Love yourself before loving someone else. You deserve so much, and he's not worth the heartache.
I wish I could prepare you for the heartbreak of losing a loved one. You will experience this many times in the future, so remember to cherish the times you have with the ones you love the most.
Respect and appreciate your parents, and create lasting, meaningful relationships with your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Don't drink too much — especially tequila. You'll regret it almost every time. Get yourself a glass of water and save yourself a a couple bucks and a lot of embarrassment.
Be confident and brave. Be generous and kind. Be happy.
Don't lose yourself. Remember that it's important to have roots and wings.
It's okay to make mistakes. Own them, learn from them, and move on.
Regardless of your choices, I'll stand by whoever you become. Because the mistakes you make will shape who you are — and that's me.
So many great reflections! I have a 17 year old that's a senior this year. The world is huge for him and it's exciting to remember what that looked like for me so many years ago!
ReplyDeleteI loved this on so many levels.
ReplyDelete