On the other side of college, about to take on a new adventure, I wanted to share some words with seventeen-year-old me. While some of this stuff will be more specific to me, I think a lot of people can take from this list. Enjoy!
Dear Seventeen-Year-Old Jentry,
Be kind to yourself.
This one might be the most important because you can't pour from an empty cup. They don't have to know, but I know: stop abusing your body. Sleep more, drink responsibly, EAT, and don't lose your cool in tough situations. Stop eating crap and think about working out a little. You haven't gone vegan yet, but no one should be eating as much mayonnaise as you do. In just two years, the thought of it will make you gag.
Be yourself.
You are not some punk hardass kid and no amount of shaving your head, or gauging your ears, or wearing all black is going to convince the world that you belong on the cover of a 90's album. That being said, I love your weirdness -- so just be you! All I ask is that you be sure that the stuff you're doing is what's genuinely a part of you, not just something to attract attention and rebel. Let's be real though, that shaved head was cute as hell...
Speak up for yourself.
There are people in your life who have shaped you into being the person you are but I know now that you were ignoring your own thoughts and opinions. You were raised in a southern Christian family, but they thought you to use your head above all else. I know that the word "Democrat" is one that used to make your eyes roll, but you should really see the presidential candidates for this coming election. You would shit your pants. Here, you like to be different so much, how about we start with "Independent"? In the meantime, maybe you should make some new friends who have those same values...
Speak up for others.
Some of the people in your life at this point, some of the ones that you love the most, are people who do not want what you know in your heart to be the best for you. There are people who are going to tell you that being vegetarian or vegan isn't worth it; there are people who are going to say that you shouldn't care about those issues because it doesn't affect you because you're white and straight; there are people who are going to say that you will never make a difference: do not listen to them. Speak up for those who cannot speak. Speak for those who have lost their lives. Speak for those who can't see past their tears. Stand up with those who are preparing for the fight. You may be small, but your words are far greater than your body could ever be. You are capable.
*side note: you can't tell how high up this is, but it's up there and the water is ice cold.
Never stop singing.
Don't. Just don't. Music helps you say things that would otherwise go unsaid. You ARE talented. Please do not listen to those same people who "love" you; you are capable of anything. Never let your music die. I wish you had taken it as seriously in the beginning as you did by the end.
Don't spend time in places where you are merely tolerated.
Spend that time where you are CELEBRATED! You are incredible and wonderful, smart and funny, talented and vibrant, and so very worth celebrating. I would rather you have no friends than those few fake friends that you're about to have. Trust me -- when the going got tough, all of them split. I'm not even kidding. Spend time with the lovely people you meet at the restaurant where you will someday work; your values line up with theirs. Truly, that break up was the best thing to ever happen to you: now both of you are much happier.
Well, those are all the anecdotes I have for now. Everyday I learn a little bit more, so perhaps in two years, I'll have just as much to say to twenty-two-year-old me.
Until then,
Jentry
All photo credits (sans my selfie) go to my wonderfully talented photographer friends Kary Clark and Brian McCalmont. Thank you both so much for aiming your lenses at lil' old me!
