Notes to My Younger Self

I feel old. This is a new feeling for me. I knew it would happen to me some day, but I was still surprised when the feeling sunk in. It was triggered by turning 36.

(Okay cynics; go ahead and get the “Only 36? Wait till ____!” out of your system before you continue to read.)

How did I get here so fast? I knew the bench mark birthdays—16, 18, 21, 30, 40, 65— would be significant, but 36 surprised me. I think it is because 36 is twice as old as 18 and I am a much different person now than I was then. I turned 18 my freshman year of college. I had a plan for my life. However, God had other plans and here I am, 18 years later, living a life I never could have dreamed up on my own. Thank you, God!

However, I have to admit that I wish I could go back and redo some things. Nothing major, but it would have been nice to have my life’s Cliff’s Notes on occasion. So the following is just that—notes to my younger self.
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Dear 3-inch-tall-bangs-Rugby-shirt-wearing-female-embodiment-of-Napoleon-Dynamite-Mandy,

You are in the midst of one of the most explosive identity crisis periods of your life. The high school/college environment can be cruel. Below are a few tips I hope you will take to heart during this exciting time.

• Just wear clothes, not outfits. The time and money you spent on putting together the MC Hammer pants with matching suspenders was creative, but it is gone for good and you will never wear that outfit again.
• It’s okay to say “I don’t know.” Nobody likes a know-it-all, especially one who improvises.
• Your brothers are your friends. You are likely to lose touch with the friends you have today, but you will always have your brothers.
• Don’t play the mean girls game. Just ignore it. Don’t perpetuate it either.
• You don’t always have to lead. Learn to follow, too.
• Try new things.
• Your first job will likely be your favorite job ever. Do it well and be thankful for it.
• Wear sunscreen and moisturizer—always.
• Every decision you make will effect at least one other person. Think of others first.
• At your age, boys aren’t worth the fuss. You won’t find the man of your dreams until you are content with yourself. (And wow, is he awesome!)
• Wear your retainer after your braces come off.
• Your parents are your biggest fans not your biggest enemies. Practice humility and let them be your fans. The decisions they make regarding your school/friends/activities are the best decisions for you. After all, they were your age once, too.
• Don’t rush your childhood. You only get to be a kid once. It is all over as soon as you cross over into grown-up territory. And yes, at 13-18 you are still a child.
• Don’t be in such a rush to get out of your hometown. You will miss it, your family, and friends.
• You know that feeling you get that God wants more from you? It’s real. Don’t ignore it. The sooner you give him more the fuller your life will be.

Love,
No-bangs-t-shirt-wearing-still-the-female-embodiment-of-Napoleon-Dynamite-Mandy