Growing up I remember thinking I had my life perfectly planned onto a timeline. I wished that life would come quicker, that I was older. I wanted to be “an adult.” But now, as “an adult” I have a lot of responsibilities. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I don’t like the life I live right now or that I don’t appreciate what I have, but sometimes I really wish I didn’t have to worry about all of these responsibilities. I didn’t realize life was simpler at the time (until I realized my life became increasingly complicated with my increasing age).
My little sister is junior in high school; a sixteen-year-old going on seventeen by the end of this year. Seeing my younger sister grow up is so strange to me; when I think of her, I still think of the younger version of herself. The version where she would only eat the chocolate and sprinkles off the donuts we would get on Saturday mornings. Now, she’s old enough to form her own opinions and is approaching early adulthood. I wonder if she wishes what I used to wish.
This post is inspired by her.
Seventeen things to tell my soon-to-be seventeen-year-old sister.
- Prioritize school work and GPA, but don’t forget to have fun
- Appreciate your friendships (and other important relationships)
- Develop time management skills
- Don’t care too much about what other people think about you. No one is watching you as close as you think
- You’ll recover from your first heartbreak. It’s not the end of the world
- Don’t be afraid to try something new; just go for it while you have the opportunity
- You don’t have to have everything figured out yet
- Cooking is an invaluable skill
- Popularity doesn’t mean anything in the real world
- Learn to love yourself and your flaws
- Educate yourself about finances
- Don’t be a people pleaser. Have your own opinions and don’t be afraid to voice them
- There is power in positive thinking. Having good energy attracts good energy
- Don’t settle
- Focus on yourself and figure out what you’re interested in
- Value your sleep
- Enjoy where you are now — don’t be in a hurry to grow up!