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Dear *****,

You are eighteen. There has been a lot going on in your life, but I can tell you that so much more will happen too. It’s been more than a decade since I was you, but I remember all of the thoughts that are going through your mind – excitement, extreme fear, doubt, but self-confidence too. If I could give you advice, it would be to just keep swimming. Take this advice, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll find yourself faster in the long run.

  • Not everything is as big a deal as you think it is. Whatever happened in homeroom today will be forgotten and won’t matter in the long run. However, cherish the big moments, those memories will carry on.
  • Guys will still act the same way when they’re 30. They’ll still laugh at fart jokes, be immature when they’re with their friends, and love to watch things blow up in movies. In fact, so will you.
  • You’re not the center of everyone’s universe – but you should be the center of your own life. You matter, and sometimes, it’s okay to make choices that are for you. However, that doesn’t give you the right to be rude or careless.
  • Your parents are right. Yes, your parents are right. That unwarranted advice they keep giving you? The nagging? IT’S ALL USEFUL AFTER COLLEGE. There’s a reason that you’ve been blessed with their presence. They know more than you do. And on that note…
  • Don’t be so hard on your parents. It’s not easy to raise a hellion like you. Tell them things about yourself once in a while. They just want some reassurance that the things they’ve sacrificed and the choices they’ve made haven’t turned you into a monster version of their baby that they’ll never understand. You’ll end up being friends with them. And continued…
  • Your parents know you better than you think. Trust me on this one. They know more about the shenanigans you get into, no matter how sneaky you think you are. Take that as a blessing.
  • Don’t be that bitch. DO treat others how you would like to be treated.
  • Appreciate nature. Your allergies will hate you, but the inner peace that comes from being outside will totally outweigh that.
  • You are stronger than you think you are. Use your strength to keep your chin up and move on from things that get you down.
  • Don’t ever stop working hard and doing good things.
  • You’re young, impressionable, but think you know everything. Every year you’ll look back and be surprised what you’ve learned and what a difference a year makes.
  • Never stop dreaming. It’s fabulous to keep those dreams going! It’s also okay if dreams change, you CAN and WILL make things happen for yourself.
  • Love yourself everyday. Say something kind to yourself everyday. Look yourself in the mirror and tell yourself that you love YOU. Look yourself in the eye and know that you are enough.

Maybe these things are standard lines you’ve heard, but I learned these things the hard way. I try to follow these things now, and it makes life that much more enjoyable.   18 years is an accomplishment but by no means the very end. Keep growing up, but don’t lose that childlike wonder. You’re going to age like a fine wine. You’ll mellow out and keep getting better. Trust me, I know. 😉

❤ always,

*****

p.s. You’ll learn to love beer. And wine = life.