16

I have seen a few articles and videos online with a topic that caught my interest. If you could go back and tell your 16 year old self something, what would you tell her(him)? That got me thinking..hmmm what would I tell my 16 year old self? The 5 years between my sixteenth year and now have been the most amazing and difficult. So much has happened and that space of time has been the most pivotal of my life this far. I thought I would share the things that I have learned and would tell my 16 year old self if given the chance.

I would begin by telling my 16 year old self that there is life after high school, and that it is amazing. At 16, I couldn't fathom life beyond school because all that I could remember was being in school. So once I got out, it felt like my whole world expanded. So many oppotunities and experiences to be had. I wanted, and still do, to see the world. We are all so blessed to be able to have so much available to us, and we should take advantage of it.

I would tell myself, continue staying true to yourself. Integrity and respect for yourself is crutial at 16. Don't fall for peer pressure and follow your gut. To this day, I still do this.

I would assure myself that there is more to life than your high school boyfriend. Being the young 16 year old girl I was, I couldn't begin to realize that there is SOOOO much more to life than just a guy. You will have your heart broken at some point in your life, and that is ok. The amount of experience you gain and the knowledge you learn is invaluable. I would tell her that you may be in love with a guy, but you need to love yourself more. Focus on yourself and know that if that 16 year old relationship falls apart, it gives you the opportunity to meet new fascinating and beautiful people and your life may end up going in a direction that you may have never thought possible. That is what life is all about.

Don't be so scared. Don't over analyze every detail of what could happen, or what may happen. You will drive yourself crazy, so save yourself the headache. Don't be afraid of trying new things, or looking silly. That is how you make new memories that make your life. Let go a little bit.

And last but not least, I would assure her that everything will be ok. Everything always has a way of working itself out, no matter how bad the situation may be. Trust people more. Let them in. Laugh a lot. Buy the shoes. Eat your whole bowl of pasta and have dessert. Dance everyday. Listen to loud music. Take pictures of everything. Document every moment. Keep a journal and a gratitude journal. Relax. Nothing is ever as bad as it seems. Everything happens for a reason. Hold on to those you love. Don't let them slip away. Every single person who is in your life has a purpose for your life. Love with every fibre in your being. Appreciate the beautiful sunset. Be thankful for our freedom. Tell the people in your life how much you care about them before it's too late. Don't feel like you're not beautiful or not good enough. Everyone is beautiful inside and out. Focus on other people more. Be interested and invested. Be the kind of friend to others that you hope to have yourself. Karma is real. Put out what you want to come back. And last but not least, 16 year old Kendal, the days go by so fast. Don't wish them away. Know that anything can happen in a day. Take comfort in that. XO