I turned 27 a few days ago. Wow, I was, like, 22 yesterday.
And let me tell you, it makes you think back on your life, your choices, your decisions.
I never thought I’d actually do this, but here we are- I’ve put down 50-ish things I wish I could tell my younger self. My 12-year-old self, actually.
Some are deep, some are less deep, but knowing this gal, shit’s going to get sappy. Enjoy 🙂
Dear me, Here’re A few Things I Want to Say:
- Life is actually very simple. And that’s why it’s so beautiful. Find what makes you feel good. Do it. Find people who love you. Love them. And that’s it. Simple as that.
- You don’t have to become famous and celebrated. That’s society’s definition of an “epic” life. Success is what you decide it is.
- You’ll never have enough time, but you can make time for what matters the most.
- People who are not willing to step into the arena- their opinions don’t matter.
- Ugly crying to indie music is liberating AF.
- Happiness? No, thank you. Choose everything. The good, the bad, the between. All of it.
- It gets easier, trust me. Everything does.
- Support women, anywhere and everywhere you can. Do it for yourself, for your friends, for your mother, your sister, and the daughters you’re going to bring into this world one day.
- Pain shapes you, but it doesn’t determine who you become.
- Stand for what you believe in, but don’t dismiss different views.
- Meet people where they are and accept them for who they are. Be grateful for them and love them.
- Vulnerability is your softest weapon. You’ll make people uncomfortable by hugging them all the time. They’re going to tell you to tone it down a notch. Don’t do it. Your intensity is rare.
- Remember when you were 7 and someone found your poem? Then they laughed at you. I wish I could tell you that this event will not keep you from writing for the next ten years, but, well…
- Writing will find you again.
- I know you’re curious. I know you want to know so much about the world. And I know you’re afraid to raise your hand in class and ask questions. Most of all, I wish I was there to tell you it doesn’t mean you’re stupid.
- A time will come when your creativity won’t be an escape anymore. Share your voice, your words, and your sentences with the world. Put it out there. Let it float, inviting, free.
- Nothing is promised to you, nothing is guaranteed. Everything worthwhile takes hard work.
- You’re not perfect. Nobody is and nothing is. Perfection is going to hurt you.
- You cried when your siblings accidentally tore apart your bedtime story about that little cute bird. One day, you’re going to build a home for all the books and buy way too many.
- Cats or dogs? You can never decide.
- You have a weird sense of humor. But, hell, what can you do, right? 😀
- Periods are a bitch and are going to be a bitch. Take care of yourself.
- The right things will come to you at the right time. The same goes for people.
- Find your favorite places in nature. Visit them often.
- Just a heads up: Infinity War and Endgame? It’s going to wreck you.
- Taking a risk is always worth it. Every single day.
- You live with yourself; you wake up with yourself; you eat with yourself; you walk with yourself. Have compassion for your little cute self.
- Don’t blame yourself for the past. You did your best with what you had. Forgive yourself.
- Elizabeth Gilbert is going to change your life and teach you what it means to find your magic.
- Sometimes a man can take your warmth, softness, and light. Not all of them will. Don’t let it turn you to stone.
- Trusting again after having your heart broken is the toughest thing you’ll ever have to face. But you’ll trust again.
- Mental health is important.
- You don’t and shouldn’t have to do it all by yourself.
- You spend Sunday afternoons sitting in front of the TV watching Formula 1- they tell you it’s for boys. Yeah, right.
- You will hear “NO” most of the time. At one point, you’re going to take your life into your own hands and take a big dump on their “NO”.
- You are scared of growing up. When you grow up, you’ll fear dying. Huh, the irony. Don’t forget to enjoy the view and order some beer (you’re too young for alcohol, don’t get any ideas) while you’re still here.
- Your work isn’t the measure of your worth. Relentless hustling? Please and thank you.
- Forgive your parents for when they didn’t know how to give to you or react to you. They were also kids once, and their parents probably didn’t know how to nurture them properly.
- Grandma will get old. Pick daisies for her while you still can.
- Family and friends will be there when shit hits the fan.
- I know you don’t feel beautiful right now. Has anyone ever told you how pretty you are? You hate your short hair, your enormous glasses, your thick hair. You’ll learn to love every little part of yourself, I promise.
- There’s no such thing as perfectly symmetrical boobs. Get over it.
- Perhaps you’re too young for this, but sleeping naked next to someone you love is the most intimate thing you could possibly share with another human being.
- There will be jobs you’re going to be turned down for simply because “it takes a woman longer to figure this out.” Yeah, put me at a desk in some damp room where I can stare at piles of paperwork for 8 hours a day. That’ll do.
- Your big old brain is truly an imaginative and resourceful little thing, isn’t it? Kudos to that. But it will sometimes be your worst enemy.
- You know what you deserve. Even if you forget it sometimes, get it into that thick head of yours: don’t settle for less! No half-assing anything.
- One day you’ll meet this lady called Depression. You won’t understand where she comes from, what she wants. Is she bearing any gifts in that black suitcase of hers? She’s just going to take a seat in the corner of your room and observe you like a hungry hawk. On the days she screeches the loudest, please love yourself the most.
- You’ll find people like yourself out there. They’re dancing and calling your name. Join them.
- FYI. Rafa is officially the GOAT (we always knew that).
- Frogs are not terrifying. Come on.
- You don’t know who Brene Brown is yet, but remember this: You are the fucking wilderness.
- I got you. I’m always here. I’m with you. I love you. You’re mine and I’m yours. We got this, kid.
P.S. We’re in the pink/purple stage again. Don’t throw away those cute tops. And if you could see me now, I know you’d be proud. Keep dreaming, sweet girl, keep dreaming. <3
Photo by Vitali Adutskevich on Unsplash