A Birthday Repeat//Note to My 17-Year-Old-Self

Hi Friends!

In honor of my big 4-3 (wow!), I'm re-posting the "Note to My 17-Year-Old-Self" blog I wrote sometime last year.  And now, if you'll excuse me,  I'm off to blow out candles and make some wishes.  XO

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1. You are not fat. Seriously. In fact, while we’re thinking of it, go ahead and slip on that 2-piece swimsuit and take a big bunch of pictures. One day you’ll be 40 and you’ll drive a minivan and you’ll look back at those photos fondly.

2. He is not The One. It might seem like he is, but he is not.

3. It is okay to change your mind. You are not expected to know what you want yet. Honestly.

4. Diet Coke is not the answer. If you don’t start, you will never have to go through Diet Coke detox (over and over and over again).

5. Never be afraid to stand up for what’s right. Even if it’s not popular.

6. Keep writing. And save your journals. One day you will get a kick out of reading them out loud to your kids.

7. For the love of God, do not take that M-F 8:00 am math class your first semester at Illinois. You will never be a morning person. Especially in college.

8. Do not stop writing letters to your French pen pal. One day your sister will take you to Paris and it would be incredibly cool to share a cafe au lait with Claudia.

9. And while we’re at it, work harder in French class. It would be nice to remember something you learned in those 8 years of French classes.

10. Pay better attention when Grandma teaches you how to make her spinach ravioli. In fact, take notes. Lots and lots of notes. Even better: video tape the whole session. One day you will want to make her recipe and you will feel paralyzed by the fear of not remembering how to do it. Plus, how cool would it be to watch a video of that day?

11. Gather old stories from Uncle Al. And Uncle Lou. And Papa. And Grandma. Write those stories down.

12. Nobody cares what size shoes you wear. Seriously. Do not wear tiny penny loafers to waitress in just because you think they look “cute” on your feet. If you continue on that path, you will end up suffering through two separate foot surgeries.

13. Umm…that sky-high bang thing? One day you will look back at pictures and cringe. Every time. So just cut it out. And lay off the hairspray while you’re at it.

14. Find a way to study abroad. Even if it means taking an extra job. If you don’t you will always regret it.

15. Do not take honors chemistry just because Tom did. You are not a math/science kind of gal, and the sooner you accept this, the less tears will be shed. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

16. Mom was right about the “Sister’s are Forever” thing. Cherish every moment you have with Christy, because once you graduate from college, you two will never live in the same state again.

17. Start saving money. Now. You’ll need it more in college than you do in high school.

18. Learn how to drive a stick shift right away. One day you’ll want to drive a truck and you’ll have to re-learn how to drive. This will not be fun after you’ve already been driving for 10 years.

19. You are enough. You do enough.

20. You are spectacular.

XO,
Vicki

PS This blog was completely inspired by Andrea over at hulaseventy.blogspot.com. I loved her list so much, I borrowed a few of her pieces of advice (#1, #2, #4 #8) and embellished them to make them mine.