dear young me,

dear young me,

Don’t fall for the bad boys. They will hurt you and break your heart.

Don’t give in. Don’t give up.

Read more books – and not just the ones you’re required to for class.

Be open to the beautiful, wonderful and magical opportunities every day brings.

Talk to your grandparents at least once a week.

Don’t forget to say thank you to the people who have made a positive contribution in your life.

Drinking to fit in is not the right reason to be drinking. Ever.

Don’t let your age define you.

Be kind to everyone. Go out of your way to introduce yourself and be friends with as many people as possible.

Listen to mom and dad’s advice. They really are a lot wiser than you think.

Work hard.

Strive to be the best person you can be.

Be open to possibilities.

Wear whatever you want!

Stop caring so much about what other people think of you.

Say yes.

Don’t compare yourself to others. Don’t determine your worth by your body size, GPA, relationship status.

Learn to laugh at yourself.

Enjoy your little sisters. They look up to you!

Never second guess who you are, where you’ve been and where it is that you are going (okay, SATC quote…but still valuable advice!)

Stop settling.

Keep you standards high and hold your head up even higher.

Quit overanalyzing.

Quit basing decisions around popularity. Don’t be scared to do something just because “someone will be mad at you.”

Write down your favorite memories – you’ll want to remember them later.

Limit yourself on the dining hall food.

Embrace your flaws.

Don’t put up with people who bring you down.

Stop beating yourself up. Everyone makes mistakes – you will make plenty more. Dust yourself off, learn your lesson and move on living a better life.

Have fun, but be smart.

Befriend people who are both older and younger than you.

Take time to remember at least five things you’re thankful for every day.

Trust God.

With freedom comes responsibility. 

Tell your parents thank you. Often.

People are rooting for you. Learn to root for yourself.

It’s more important to be nice than it is to be funny. lt’s more important to be kind than it is to be cool.

Surround yourself with people who build you up, encourage you, love you.

Be nice to people even when they don’t deserve it. Be quick to forgive.

Love. yourself.

Life is beyond what you imagine. It’s so much better.

love, still learning and growing 22-year-old me.

>>>I asked friends online what advice they would tell their younger self and here’s what a few people had to say. Thank you to all who shared! If you could give yourself advice five years ago, or ten years ago, what would it be? I’d love to hear it. Happy Tuesday, xoxo!

Love your body, love yourself, women are strong. See yourself through the eyes of the people who love you fiercely! [Thanks Tennley!]

Go for it whatever it is, you’re a lot tougher than you know! [Thanks, Santi!]

Don’t try to plan your life out. Enjoy the adventures along the way. Not everyone has the same “life plan.” [thanks Paula!]

Your first love probably won’t work out, so don’t cling to it if it’s not right! There’s a lot out there! [Thanks Lauren!]

The best years are yet to come! And eventually, you will love all those freckles and that pale skin you have. [Thanks Bethany!]

Stop crying. Harness the negative energy into motivation. [Thanks Ryan!]

Oh yeah, and cut your hair. Not a good look [HAHA Ryan! I love you]

Don’t let fear hold you back. [Thanks Catherine!]

Being tall is cool… even if the boys won’t ask you to dance. [Thanks Sarah!]

Accept every invitation and bring a gift even if it’s only one perfect bloom with a pretty ribbon bow on the stem. [Thanks, Rayne!]

Don’t fall victim to someone just because they show you attention. Really consider who you’re letting into you life. A lot of people want to know about your life but few actually care. [Thanks Connor!]

Happiness really does belong to the self-sufficient. [Thanks Ashley!]