Some Things I Wish I Could Tell My 17-Year-Old Self
- You don’t have to explode to be noticed.
- You don’t win that friend group over, stop trying to.
- People are going to talk shit, let them.
- You have sincere intentions with awkward execution but you become more skillful.
- I understand you, even if nobody else does (by the way, the real friends do speak your language, give them more credit).
- Some texts are better left unsent.
- You will never be “too much” for the right people.
- You will be “too much” for others (learn to accept that).
- You can laugh at yourself without making yourself the joke.
- Don’t give up on your art.
- Don’t give up on yourself.
- Don’t give up your power.
- Slow down.
- Trust is earned. Stop giving yours away.
- Spend as much time with Granny as possible.
- Your mom loves you. A lot.
- Forgiveness will heal you.
- You’re really, really, really bad at math, but you’re going to need to keep showing up to class anyway (not because you get better, sorry, you don’t, but you need to pass Algebra 2).
- Dump him.
- Stay curious.
- Read more.
- Your dad loves you. A lot.
- Continue burning your CDs for those you love.
- Keep your heart on your sleeve (but maybe cover it up every now and then).
- You’re allowed to feel things deeply.
- You get into Michigan State.
- You figure out you’re a writer (you always knew that, though).
- You get your shit together. You figure it out. Be patient.
- You grow into yourself. Life always finds a way to hurt, but it won’t always hurt this much.
- Hang on, it gets better.