What I know now

A letter to my younger self.

Dear 18-year-old Emily,

I know right now, at this very moment you have no idea who you are or where your life is going and I wish I could tell you it was only going to get better, but as your 20-something-year-old self, I'm going to tell you that it's not... yet.  Listen up and listen good Emily, because it's time to get real with yourself!

When it comes to School:

Yeah, Savanna sucks, but take it seriously.  You're smart and can do WAY better and if you don't do it now, you will regret it later on.  Take classes that challenge you and stop talking to Daniel C. and Daniel K. in English... Pay attention.  Also... TAKE THE SAT's.  What the hell are you thinking?? (Ps.  All the people that used to make fun of you are either fat, have a bunch of kids with different guys, or try to hit on you... and you will reject them, so don't worry about it.)

When it comes to Men:

You’re going to meet a lot of them. They will find you attractive, and they will let you know that. And, as a result, you will let them walk all over you.  You really don't need them.  Your heart is going to get broken, you are going to be hurt and you are going to spend many nights crying yourself to sleep, but you will be okay!  After a bad breakup you will learn that men don’t validate you; only you can validate yourself. It will take a while, and it’s going to hurt while it does. But you’ll finally get it.

Speak up!

You let too many people walk over you.  This is something we still struggle with, so maybe if you start now it would be easier.  Listen to your gut, start standing up for yourself and stop giving in when you know better.  Start thinking more with your head and less with your heart, not everyone is as nice as you are.

Learn to Work

Things come to you easily.  Right now you don't have to work that hard for your money so you will get in the habit of putting in the least amount of effort.  Someday you will get a real job and you will have to work your butt off and it is hard.  You will learn that things in life aren't always free and you will learn it the hard way.

Embrace who you are

You think you don't fit in so you try to be someone you aren't.  It's okay to be different.  It's okay that you don't fit in.  Do what you feel is right in every situation even if that makes you stand out even more. 

When it comes to everything else

You are going to see very soon how important your friends and family are to you.  You are going to sometimes feel very alone and that will bring you to develop deep, personal relationships with thee most important people in your life.   Don't stress so much on things that have happened in the past, let them go.  Remember who you are and where you want to be.  You are going to make mistakes and you are going to struggle.  Life isn't always great Emily, but the choices you are making now are the most important, so chose wisely.

Also... stop spending money you don't have on credit cards that, you don't know yet, but you will be paying on FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!

XoXo

Yourself