The other day marked eleven years since I met my husband, Bernard. I became pretty nostalgic about this anniversary date, not just regarding Bernard and me but life itself. I got to thinking about my seventeen-year-old self, and how different and similar she was to me today. I would not change one thing about the last eleven years. While some of it has been bad, some of it has been good, all of it has lead me to this place of contentment and happiness I feel today.
A picture of me at seventeen.
Although I would not change a thing, I gave some thought to what I would tell that seventeen-year-old version of me if I could and here are the ten things I have come up with:
- Things will not fall apart if you are not there – nor is it your responsibility to make sure they do not.
- Worry less – Everything will or won’t work out either way, it will be fine.
- The thing you are searching for is God.
- Happiness does not come from looking a certain way or having certain things, it comes from people, experiences, and just being happy.
- Some people are not meant to be in your life forever, and that’s okay. Some people are lifers, and you will know who they are when you find them.
- You have great instincts, trust them.
- Forgive yourself and let it go.
- You are capable of a lot – you just have to get out of your own way.
- Men are not the enemy – especially the boy in the pink polo with the popped collar (seriously).
- Being vulnerable is not a character flaw. Let your guard down because that is where love, understanding, and growth will occur.
I thought about providing an explanation for each of these items and why they ended up on my list, but I decided against it – sometimes it is best just to let things be. So this week is a short post, but I ask you,
What would you tell your seventeen-year-old self if you could?