Advice I Would Give My 18 Year-Old Self

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This is me, circa 1986:

Holly_senior_portrait

When I look at this picture, there is really only one thing I wish for this girl. I wish she had more self-confidence.

Failing that, this is the advice I'd give her:

1) Learn how to manage your personal finances

2) Wear sunscreen

What advice would you give your 18 year-old self?

10 Replies to “Advice I Would Give My 18 Year-Old Self”

  1. Veronique says: May 11, 2014 at 10:16 am

    remember to live and learn . pass it forward. stay out of debt. life is not about paying your bills every day! you will blink and it will be your 30th high school reunion. What will you have done with your life that you will be proud of?

  2. Holly West says: June 16, 2009 at 8:54 am

    I am so enjoying everyone’s comments. Keep ’em coming!

  3. Ryan says: June 15, 2009 at 7:24 pm

    1. Get out there and talk to people. Making friends takes work, but it boils down to showing an interest in others. And the rewards are many.
    2. A big part of love is loving yourself.
    3. Being physically fit helps you stay emotionally fit.

  4. Julie C says: June 15, 2009 at 3:34 pm

    Ohhhhhhhh Boy:
    1. You like girls, quit teasing all those boys and getting into messes with your friends over boys that you will never stay with any way.
    2. Boys can be good friends. But tell them you like girls (again, this is predicated on #1, which I really wish I knew when I was in college).
    3. Change your major from communications to computer science.
    4. Live your own life, not one based on other’s hopes and expectations of you.

  5. Laurie says: June 9, 2009 at 3:22 pm

    Don’t get that perm before going to Barbados.
    Don’t get so upset over boyfriends, you’ll marry the best one.

  6. JanetS says: June 6, 2009 at 5:04 pm

    Trust yourself. You have everything you need in your own heart and brain and soul. And feel free to fall in love with that guy. You will marry him.

  7. Holly says: June 5, 2009 at 3:36 pm

    Great question! I’d tell her that taking stock every few years and history helps put it all in perspective. “Just wait, you’ll see, it’ll all make sense to you at some point.”
    Thanks for linking to http://www.wondersandmarvels.com , by the way!!

  8. Antoinette says: June 4, 2009 at 7:08 pm

    -Eat Healthier
    -Get Therapy
    -Not to try and live your life on other people’s expectations.
    The sun block tip is good too though!

  9. Becky Levine says: June 3, 2009 at 1:52 pm

    Yes, on the confidence.
    Also, don’t stop writing just because you’re not good enough for “success” yet. You’ll get there.

  10. Jim Jagger says: June 3, 2009 at 10:48 am

    Live, learn, and don’t be afraid to be yourself.

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