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Dear Younger Self,
There are a lot of things I wish I would have known when I was your age.
They would have perhaps made me think differently about myself, made me
make different decisions and perhaps move through the teens and 20’s with a little
more smoothly. I know you don’t want to hear it because no young person
does, but I am going to tell you anyways because that is what us older people do.
1. You will love being tall
First and foremost, I promise that one day you are going to love being 6ft. tall.
I understand that right now is seems like a burden. The boys are
smaller, your friends are petite and at times, your High School self feels like an
awkward giant. Everyone in High School has insecurities and I know that
this one is yours. The truth is though, that once you get to college, it is
all going to start turning around. The boys are going to start really liking
your height, clothes are going to fit you well, and believe it or not, you will be
complimented with being tall and told my numerous people that they wish they
were taller. Granted, you will get the question (ALL THE TIME), “Did you
play Volleyball?” and very frequently hear “You are tall!”, but it is usually said by
someone that has to look up to you. Believe me, there is nothing greater
in the corporate world than a woman that all the men have to look up to. I
promise, it changes things. No matter what insecurity someone might have
when they are young, it does go away. Trust me and don’t be so hard on
yourself.
2. Good Boys finish first for a reason
Yes, I know the bad boy is good looking, charming and has a way with words.
They always do. But there is a reason good boys finish first. It
is because, in the end, when women are done playing with the bad boys, they end up
marrying the good boys. So be nice to them. Don’t blow off the quiet
guy who awkwardly asks you out on a date. He may get taken faster than you
realize. When you hit your 30s, there are going to be plenty of bad boys left,
but the good ones are few and far between.
3. Take that naked photo, just don’t text it
Yes, I know mom and dad are giving you all sorts of warnings about taking
provocative photos of yourself. This is what I have to say about that.
After having three children, you are going to WISH you had a naked photo
of that pre-baby body you had. Now don’t be an idiot and start sending it
to people. I will do that later when I email it out to all my friends saying
that this is what my boobs used to look like before kids. I also recommend
running around naked before there is a bit more cellulite to be seen.
4. Don’t rush life
Life gets real serious real fast. Don’t rush it. I was in such a rush
to “get life started” that I forgot to enjoy being a kid. Yes, that is what you are.
A college graduate is still a kid. I know you don’t think you are but
you are wrong. Take advantage when you are young to travel, see the world,
experience new things and know that work and stress will still be there when you
get back. It becomes harder and harder to experience these things when you
get older and more expensive. Remember that cheap hostel you stayed at in
college? That will NEVER happen in your 30s. Also, making stupid
decisions is still accepted in your 20s. In your 30s, you just look like an idiot.
So don’t rush it!
5. It just keeps getting better
Life does get better and better. Though the 20s seems like the best time
of your life, it is only the beginning. You have yet to experience marriage,
parenting, career success and lifelong friendships. You will find that the
little things you used to overlook become moments of life you cherish. Your
parents become your friends (I promise! Its true!) and you begin to
appreciate all that they taught you. You will have children and realize that
your heart will always be theirs. You accept aging with grace and realize that
you do not feel as old as you are. Remember when you thought 30s was old?
It’s not! We still don’t know what the heck we are doing and most of
the time are winging it but somehow it all works out! And yes, bad things
happen, and it is not always great, but that is how your character is defined and you
begin to make your mark on the world, and that is when you realize you are a grown
up and no longer a child.
Cheers,
Sarah
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