I Wish I Knew Then What I Know Now
A particularly special person inspired me to write this today based on a conversation we had about childhood experiences ;-)
When I was a teenager, I knew everything.
E-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g.
When I was in my 20's, everything was black and white. I was rigid in my thoughts and opinions.
Now that I'm in my thirties I see multiple shades of grey, and I appreciate the subtle differences. I examine individual situations before I form an opinion. I've learned the most this way, met the most interesting people and had the most amazing conversations.
Part of me wishes I could go back to my teenage self and tell her what I know now:
- Her weird hair WILL embarrass her some day
- 80's clothes ARE horrifying
- She should not paint her nails in class (ugh)
- She should not drop French
- She will be really good friends with her brother someday. He won't always be a teenage nightmare.
- Math will always suck for her. It will not get easier ;-)
- Years later, her parents will still be able to embarrass her
- There is nothing like old friends, one's who knew her in the playground and dressed up with her after school. Nurture and cherish them
- Her strict curfew and dozens of parental questions about where she is going WILL keep her from doing bad things
- Nothing that happens in high school, good or bad, will matter years later. It just won't.
- Stay away from drama, it damages the soul
- She will remember the times she laughed so hard with friends in class that she was asked to leave. (And she will smile...)
- She should take more pictures of people, experiences and things that she loves. Especially pets.
- It will be a pleasure for her to know her parents as an adult.
There is so much more, but this would be what I'd tell her if I could. Not that she'd listen. It's tough knowing everything!
