Note to My 18-Year-Old Self

posted 20th January 2010    Written by: Andrea    CATEGORY: All Posts, Andrea, Season 1, What I've Learned

Looking back, I feel like I have been about 20 different versions of myself over the past 7 years. It’s hard to know whether or not I will become another 20 different version in the coming 7 years….

I hope not.

I would like to think that maybe, just maybe, I’m starting to figure out this thing called life and have less anxiety and fear. Someday, I hope to wake up and say “I’m not living a Quarter Life Crisis anymore!”

Um, that day is not going to be tomorrow or the next day, but, it’s a goal nonetheless.

I’ve learned a lot in the past 7 years, hell I have learned a lot about myself in the past 6 months! It’s made much of my past clear and gives me hope for the future.

If I had kept a journal of all the things I learned, I would be able to tell 18-year-old girls some of those amazing life lessons. I think though, that part of living 18-25 is making mistakes and learning from them on your own.

That’s why its called LIFE- right? Your time to learn through living and being.

However, if I were to look back on my 18-year-old self, I would give the following personal advice:

What would you write to your 18-year-old self?  What valuable lessons have you learned over the past 5 or so years of your life that you wish you could go back and tell yourself?

P.S.- My best friend I look exactly the same today and for that we are super proud!!

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Comments (5)

5 Responses to “Note to My 18-Year-Old Self”

  • Lauren Says:
    January 20th, 2010 at 10:37 am

    Wow! I’m 29, and I’ve only learned some of the things you put in your list above in the last couple of years. Kudos to you for figuring it out so early. You are so, so, so right about not worrying about the numbers and not accumulating “stuff.” Oh, and the social norms and buying stuff, too. Great post!

  • Andrea Says:
    January 20th, 2010 at 10:49 am

    Thanks Lauren! I have learned many of those things over the last 6 months and my time writing for stratejoy. It has been a great 6 months and I hope to continue learning more!

  • Amy B Says:
    January 20th, 2010 at 1:58 pm

    I totally agree with when it comes to keeping all the crap- I’ve moved every year and I still have to throw so much out every time!

    When it comes to what I would have told myself (which goes along with the general theme of some of yours), I would have mentioned forcing myself to let the inner-goofball out earlier. I enjoy life much more unrestricted. Let your freak flag fly! :)

  • Molly Hoyne Says:
    January 20th, 2010 at 3:08 pm

    First of all- Welcome new commentors! We love having you here Lauren & Amy.

    And Andrea- great post. Isn’t it funny to think what advice you’ll be giving your 25 year old self in 7 years? ;)

    Things I wish I’d known at 18- You don’t have to prove yourself through the amount of alcohol you can consume in one night. Perfect is not something to strive for… I’d have loved to stop caring what others thought about me, much, much earlier. I wish I’d known some healthy self care routines to cope with stress instead of turning to disordered eating (oh binge/purge- you haunted me so…).

    I would tell my 18 year self to embrace her inner geek and wild positivity and not let the world beat it out of her. I would tell her that first loves are for learning, not holding on to as a safety blanket. Not to worry about money- do things for love.

  • Er Says:
    January 22nd, 2010 at 10:48 am

    Ann – I love you. Great post, I am so proud of you. And we do totally look the same, except for my awful bangs haha.

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