Dear 17 Year Old Me,
I look at pictures of you and nearly tear up at how far we’ve come. You have gone through so much. By now, you’ve had your heart broken several times. You’ve gained some friends and lost some. Like every 17 year old, you’ve had more than one dramatic fight with your parents. You’ve gone through more hair dye than your hairdresser would prefer and you probably think that your curfew will never be extended.
Finishing up college, I am reflecting upon the last several years. I know you think that you have it rough, but I’m here to tell you that life unfortunately doesn’t get any easier. You will definitely struggle in the upcoming years, but you are strong and you’ll get through it! Here are a few things that I’d like you to keep in mind. Knowing these will definitely make the next six years easier on you than they were on me!
1. Relationships really aren't worth it until you are ready to settle down and find someone to spend the rest of your life with. I want you to have fun and figure out exactly what you want and don’t want from someone, but I do not want you giving your time, energy and most importantly your heart to someone who you can’t see a future with. Please don’t date just to fill time. Date to marry. You’ll end up with better priorities and less heartbreak. Also on that note, please never choose a significant other over an experience, or an opportunity. The right guy will be supportive of your future, your career, and your personal well-being. If you need an example of how this goes wrong, watch the episode of "The Hills" where Lauren Conrad chooses Jason over a summer in Paris for her job. In the famous words of our girl Audrey Hepburn, “Paris is always a good idea.”
2. You have such an admirable work ethic. However, it’s not vital to pick up that extra shift at work. You’re going into your senior year of high school. Take your Saturday night off once in a while and go do something memorable with your friends! Trust me, they’ll soon have lives of their own, just as you will. Believe me when I say that your high school memories and friendships will help you to choose the right friends in college.3. Speaking of college, start going on some visits! I promise that you will end up in a place that becomes home to you, but it doesn’t hurt to visit other schools and get a feel for how other campuses operate. Piggy-backing off of that, do not be afraid to leave home and build a life for your self. I can’t wait for you to experience and learn everything there is to know about adulthood! Some things will come easier than others, for you are so determined to learn things the hard way! Know what relationships that you need to hold onto and which ones you need to leave in your hometown. If they’re supposed to be a part of your future, they’ll blend into your new life without force.
4. Create a budget now! We are so darn bad with our money, but the sooner you create a budget, the better off you’ll be! Apply for as many scholarships as you can! Student loans are a hard pill to swallow. Trust me, we need all the help that we can get!
Oh, and write these things down:
- Drive right past that McDonald's. Those fries are good but they’re not worth it.
-Don’t gossip about anybody, it always gets back to them somehow. You’re better than that!
-Watch your speed, tickets suck.
-Learn to pick your battles; don’t sweat the petty stuff.
-Understand that not all of your friends will be your friend for the rest of your life.
-Don’t try to be “the cool girlfriend.” Boys will take advantage of that, so hold your ground!
-Follow your intuition; our gut-reactions are there for a reason.
-You are so passionate! Never settle for mediocrity. Ever!
-Don’t buy cheap nail-polish; $8 is worth a lasting nail color.
-There are too many wonderful people in this world to justify returning to a toxic relationship. Channel your inner Elsa and LET IT GO!
-Lastly, be confident in yourself and never settle! You are destined for greatness and anybody who doesn’t see that has got-ta-go. Always keep your head, heels and standards high.
I promise though, this is not as good as it gets. You absolutely do not peak in high school. So take each experience and opportunity that you can. Take leadership positions and networking experiences seriously. It’s always great to have a plan, but don’t be afraid to tweak it a little bit.
Spoiler alert: you will not have your life together by 23. You will not graduate college with a diamond ring, and you will probably not have all of your kids by 30. I know that this might terrify you, but I promise that your prerogative will change. You have plenty of time to be an adult! Enjoy your senior year and plan accordingly for your future. I know firsthand that it is very bright!
I’m proud of you for who you are and who you are going to be!
Love,
Your Future Self!
