To my younger self

It was my birthday this week so I thought it would be fun to reflect on the journey.

I graduated high school 24 years ago this past May. This is my senior 'casual' picture. As you can see, I didn't wear glasses yet because my eyes didn't spend 8 hours a day staring at a computer screen. Apparently, I was voted Most Outgoing. Some of my likes- ketchup with french fries and spending time with my friends- are still accurate. Some of my dislikes- people who don't use turn signals and people who can't shut off their car alarms- are also still accurate (notice the concerns of a new driver).

My future plans stuck for one semester at college- to major in Public Relations. After that I changed my major 4 other times to graduate with a business degree. Clearly, I was more comfortable making mistakes and pivoting. After being lucky enough to have one beautiful, healthy daughter that dream of 3 boys vanished.

I remember agonizing over my senior quotes and it turns out they have both stood the test of time:

"Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle." - Plato

"Carry on, Carry on, What don't kill us makes us strong, Carry on, Nobody ever said that life was gonna be fair, You're never gonna get no where by runnin' scared, If you look down deep inside you'll find the faith, To make you strong, Carry on." - Tim McGraw

(As you can see I was a Tim McGraw fan even back then.)

I remember my 17 year old self as loud, brave, stubborn, and fearless. I played sports and starred in the school play! I put time and effort in on school and sports to do better, but I didn't let anything in particular consume me. It's so easy as we age to allow each area to take over- parenthood, work, taking care of aging parents- we have to fight the urge to become just 'one' thing.

I will never have that teenage fearlessness again or that body! I wouldn't change much about the journey though. I would tell my younger self: to care less about what others think, Mom was right acne goes away, and continue being the brave, kind, empathetic person you are because it guides you to a wonderful ride and a great future!

What would you tell your younger self?