So, with my small confession out of the way, I'd like to share a few pieces of advice that I wish I'd known when I was in high school, like...
Don't Stress Over the Girl Drama!
Oh, I remember the tears! And the cattiness, and the jealousy, and the drama, and how it felt like your whole life was ruined because your best friend ditched you to hang out with another friend. And maybe someone wise said to you, "You know, after high school, how many of these friends are you really going to stay in touch with?" and at the time, you just couldn't wrap your head around it... but I'm telling you, it's the truth! Of my whole group of best friends from high school, I regularly stay in touch with 5 of them, and those were the 5 girls who were loyal, fun to be around, smart, kind, and uplifting friends to me...and they still are! Don't bother wasting time on friendships that don't build you up...I promise you won't be missing out on much!
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| Senior Prom! |
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| 2 of my bridesmaids were best friends from high school, and the other 3 were apart of the wedding in other ways! |
Save Your Money!
This girl was guilty of spending every dollar I earned almost the second it was in my wallet until about my junior year of college when I finally wised up. Yes, I had a super cute wardrobe because of it. Yes, I had absolutely NO savings when I went to college. I would babysit and make bank, but I never really thought about being savvy with my money. If I could go back in time, I'd save half of everything I earned! You just never know when a fun Spring break trip, a cute dress for a function, or a spa day are calling your name! Enjoy it while you can because one day your Christmas presents will be new tires for your car, and your birthday money will go to paying off your credit card bill...then you'll be really glad you saved up some money to spend on yourself!Don't Rule Out the Nice Guy Sitting Behind You in Geometry Class!
Ok, so that's really specific to me because my sweet husband was that guy sitting behind me in Geometry Class! But, let's just focus on the "nice guy" part...could be the nice guy sitting beside you in class, the nice guy you work with, the nice guy at the gym...your choice! I feel like it's so easy to fall in love with the smooth-talking, good-looking guys who play games with girls and end up breaking their hearts. I dated a few of those guys, and it never ended well, and it didn't for any of my friends who dated those guys either. Pretty much, if your friends and parents don't like the guy, there's probably a good reason! But, there are some realllly nice guys out there who may not be the hottest guy in the world or the absolute most popular who will treat their girlfriends SO well! Think of the John Krasinskis of the world...cute, funny, lovable! I was not head- over- heels- pick-my-chin-up-off-the-floor attracted to Kyle when we first became friends, but he was so genuine and nice to me! It wasn't hard to fall in love with him, and it's crazy to say, but I knew, even back then, that he would make a great hubby one day (which he is!) even if we didn't end up staying together past high school (which we did!)... And, he's a way better dresser now and his hair-cuts are way cooler too!
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| Junior Prom...yikes, my smile! |
Worry Less, Dance More!
If I could go back to high school, I would hands down worry less and dance more! I was SO concerned with what everyone else thought of me that I convinced myself not to do a lot of things that I really wish I had done! I was afraid to really dance at parties because I didn't think I knew how. I probably still don't, but I have SO much fun dancing with friends and Kyle at parties and events, and I could care less how I look doing it! I didn't end up trying out for cheerleading because I didn't think I was cute enough and again, didn't think I could dance. I think I would have been a great cheerleader and loved it, but I held myself back. Don't be that person who's so concerned with what others think that you lose yourself in the process! To quote my loves on Jersey Shore, "You gotta DO you!"
So, there's my two-cents, for what it's worth! I hope you all have a WONDERFUL weekend!