Letter to my younger self – as a high school grad!
Dear 18-year old self,
Congratulations! You have officially crushed the goal of graduating high school and you are about to embark on the first of many adventures into adulthood! Looking back through the years of your life and remembering the fear and insecurities that you had as you walked out the doors of your high school, I thought I would write you a letter reassuring you that you will be OK!
- First and foremost – you will be OK. Yes! Leaving the security of home and the love and protection of your family and friends is scary. But guess what – there are others who are open and ready to love and protect you! I know you hear the horror stories on the news about evil that is out in the world, but for every bad person that you hear about there are millions of good people out there! Your positive aura will attract other positivity!
- Do not be afraid to try new things – take risks! Positive things of course! Take that class about basket weaving or creative dancing while in college! Play intramural lacrosse! Join clubs and make friends. Learn about other cultures and immerse yourself in programs that broaden your knowledge of the world!
- Go to parties with your friends! You are young! Have fun! Dance the night away! Laugh and then laugh some more! Tell jokes and giggle with your girls until your face hurts! Flirt with boys – lots of boys! Flirting is OK – nothing else has to happen. Just have lots and lots of fun!
- Actually learn stuff and not just study to pass a test! As you have gotten older am older, you have realized that taking to heart what you are learning is the key to true knowledge. Studying to memorize information just to pass a class does not stay with you as you go out in the world. When you take that accounting class, apply it to your life. Teach others to manage money and analyze investment opportunities. Use that knowledge to start a business while you are young! Don’t hesitate to start working towards your passions in life! Making money will be important – yes – but your happiness will be the most important thing to you!
- Learning to multi-task is for the birds! Learn how to focus on your top priorities and master them! Yes – I know people told you that multi-tasking would make you successful in the business world but don’t listen to them! You want to master skills and talents that contribute to your passion! Being able to multi-task well is great, but it is not the key to accomplishing more of what you love!
- The library is not just for checking out books! Go to the library and read, study, and learn. Going to the library will help you FOCUS! Remember what I said before – focusing, not multi-tasking, is the key to accomplishing things. If you try to study in your dorm room, you will become distracted and want to do other things while you are working. Trust me when I say, this will not benefit you! You will find yourself asleep on your bed, holding your textbook and computer on your lap!
- A man does not define you! You don’t need a boyfriend at 18, 19, 20, or 21! Not while you are in college! Now if you find a good man – its ok to date him but you do not NEED a man to feel loved and relevant! Love yourself! That’s the most valuable form of love you can have right now in your life. When you are older – you can love your husband and your children unconditionally but for now – save that unconditional love for yourself.
Go forth into the world young woman and make your mark! Hold your head up and do not let the negativity that may creep into your circle dim your light! There are mountains for you to climb and rivers for you to cross — on the other side is the stuff that life is made of! Be confident and represent – for there will be little eyes looking up to you in a few years – wanting to forge the path that you have laid before them!
Love,
Yourself from 15 years in the future!