My 16 year old self

Day 4: List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.

(Marie, Liz, myself, and Atheena)

Oh to be 16 again... I often think back to what I would have done differently at that age if I had been given the chance. When you are 16, you already feel like you know everything and are basically an adult. Boy did I have a lot to learn. Looking back on it now, and knowing that one day my daughter will be a 16 year old young woman (eek!), I have thought about things I wish I had known then.

1. Take as many pictures as you possibly can. You live in a time when technology is extremely convenient, and you really have no excuse for not owning a digital camera. Considering you already have a job and make your own money, go out and buy one. Even if it's not the greatest camera. JUST GET ONE. You will look back and realize that you did not take NEARLY as many pictures as you should have and it will make you cry...literally.

2. Don't focus as much on guys, but concentrate more on building relationships with girls that will be your life long friends. Life is too short to focus on the little high school relationships. One saying that you will hear later on is "High school is not where you meet your soul mate. It's where you meet your bridesmaids." Keep the good friends close to you because they will never let you down.

3. You will get your first job right after you turn 16. While it is fun to be able to go and buy all the things you want, save at least a portion of your paycheck. You will be graduating high school in a couple of years and it would be nice to have some money saved so you can have more options like moving out. New clothes are nice. But freedom is much nicer.

(Our arrival in LA. Liz, Marie, and myself.)

4. It's okay to make dumb decisions every once in awhile. Some of those decisions that people would tell you are absolutely ridiculous, will end up giving you some of the best memories of your life. Take chances, meet new people, take road trips with your best girlfriends and live on the edge a bit. You will be grateful that you did. Forever.

5. Make sure to tell people how much you care about them and appreciate them. Sometimes you may forget to say thank you or to tell someone how you really feel, so try to remember to do it when you can. You really never know how long you will have someone in your life.

(Oh to be cutting class again and taking photos...)

6. As much as you will hate to admit it later on, your mom will be right about certain things. You won't believe her and you will think she is full of baloney, but just give it a couple of years. As annoying as it can be at times, she really does have your best interests in mind.

7. Try to find something that you are passionate about. Sports and school clubs might not be your thing, but there is SO much out there in the world that you have yet to discover. And don't be afraid to try new things. The worst thing that might happen is you will discover it's something you didn't really enjoy. But hey, at least you tried.

8. Don't let other people's words get to you. High school can be a harsh time and sometimes things that people say will truly hurt your feelings. As much as this sucks, it will pass. Try to ignore other people as much as possible and always know that you are better than that. Unfortunately this is something you will find will still continue after high school. Some people never grow up.

9. Take care of your health and your body. While having a good metabolism is a wonderful thing, it doesn't mean that you should stuff your body with junk food. Every once in a while is okay but that metabolism won't last forever. And it's better to start the good eating habits while you are younger. 

10. Enjoy every second that you can because life will pass you by in an instant. One day you will be faced with loads of responsibility, as well as a husband and a family. These things will be wonderful but you should enjoy the time you are given before that. And most of all...

Sometimes you gotta stop and remember,

that you're not gonna be young forever.

Think smart, have fun, stay true

and don't ever grow up.

~The Ataris

(Technically I'm 17 here but hey, you get the idea.)