To my little sister,

My goodness, how the time has gone. I can still vividly remember the first day we met. Nicole and I were so eager to get to know you that we fought over who got to sit next to your car seat on the way home from the hospital. As usual, I won. That day was over 17 years ago, and now you’re entering your senior year of high school while I begin my last year of college.

Being the baby in the family, you have your two older sisters to emulate. Mom might say that Nicole is the mature, nurturing and reserved one, while I’m the rebellious, goofy and stubborn one. Somehow you’ve managed to be the perfect balance of both mine and Nicole’s best strengths while still being completely unique. It’s only natural for your big sisters to want you to learn from their slip ups. Growing up, and still to this day, Nicole always asked “why can’t you learn from my mistakes?” This always frustrated me because I wanted to make my own mistakes. That’s the only way I knew how to learn, and trust me I’m still learning. But you’ll do the same. You’re young and you’re human.

If there is one piece of advice I can give you, though. It won’t be to follow your sisters’ success and stray away from their failures, it’d be to really try to get to know yourself. Branch out as much as you possibly can and befriend everyone under the sun. It may sound silly or cliché, but I’ve realized something over the past few years. Many people our age aren’t sure who they are, what they stand for, or what their purpose is in this world. They’re confused and constantly looking at who others are in efforts to fit someone else’s mold when it’s not their genuine self. Without embracing who you are and being confident with you, it’s easy to follow the lead of others, and this strips you of your own full potential. We’re human, and sometimes we get caught up in who our friends are and what they’re doing, and neglect nurturing that relationship with ourselves.

Don’t think too much about what people think of you, and don’t compare yourself to those around you. People will constantly be coming in and out of your life. Friends, classmates, boys and coworkers will all be around one day and gone the next. You’ll find yourself changing as these people rotate in and out. Some relationships will be good, and others bad, but all are valuable. Appreciate the time spent with each because that’s what is going to help you develop that relationship with yourself, they’ll help you realize your likes, dislikes, triggers, passions and weaknesses.

So don’t worry too much about trying to be perfect, not making mistakes or pleasing others if it interferes with who you are. Life is too short to be spent with anyone other than your authentic self.

Love,

Your big sis