During a recent dinner with friends, one casually posed the question, “What would you tell your 13-year-old self?” I’d heard this question before, and typically dismissed it with a silly or smart-ass response (“Spiral perms are never a good idea!”), but this time I took a minute to think about it. And a bunch of ideas flooded my mind – all serious advice that I wish someone had given me when I was a scared, newbie teen who was anxious about everything and struggling with an eating disorder.
So I decided to share, in the hopes you’ll show it to a teen in need of some advice from the future – or that something will resonate with you.
- Don’t be afraid. It will all work out.
- Be who you are. Make yourself happy first.
- Everyone else is insecure about something, too.
- Be a child as long as possible. Your dreams will come true. But enjoy today first.
- You’re not dying. It’s an anxiety attack.
- Don’t do things hoping you will be rewarded with love or acceptance. The right people will love you for who you are, not what you look like, wear or accomplish.
- If you need help, there are places you can go and people to talk to. Get the help – demand it – now.
- Know your worth. You deserve happiness. You are perfect as you are, but…
- Remember that there’s no such thing as perfect.
So what am I missing? What do you wish you’d known all along? Add to the list by posting a comment below.