a letter to myself at seventeen

Dear Me at 17:

Listen sweetie - you have your whole life ahead of you. Don't waste it. You have some serious issues you are going to need to work through in order to get on with it and be successful. The sooner you can do it, the better.

The best thing you can do for yourself is to get out of that town. Look around you - are you seeing an environment that fosters your drive and ambition? Find one that does. Trust that you are still capable of so much more than what you are doing now. Remember to spread your wings and fly.

Take care of your health. Take care of your finances. Take care of your education. You are worthy.

Trust your instincts and tell doctors what you know to be true about yourself. Make them listen.

Find a best friend who will be your best friend back. You will yearn for this every day for the rest of your life.

Plant some roots. You will find great comfort in it. Then travel. You will find great comfort in that too.

You will enjoy motherhood more than you ever thought you would.

Remember - you can do anything you set your mind to. Find your passion, stick with it. Finish well. Fight for what makes you happy. Enjoy the little moments. They go quick, so take it slow and breathe them in.

Love,
Me at 32