Sunday, April 22, 2007

20/20 Talk

What I wish I would have known 5 years ago, at age 20

- Dude, your house is going to burn down. So when you go away for that one weekend to visit your brother, take your journals with you.

- You know how you pride yourself on holding on to grudges? You shouldn't. Because you aren't holding on to the grudge anymore, it's holding on to you, like a shackle. And every year you continue being angry, sweet girl, it just gets harder to remember why you are so angry in the first place. So back down, grow up and move on.

- Sunscreen. Wear it.

- You will meet a boy and he will be everything you didn't realize you wanted. But, you will break up. You'll contemplate a breakdown on the side of the highway and then much later, it will be the cause of a breakthrough. You will realize that sometimes, what someone will do to you- will have nothing to do with you. That their mistake doesn't have to be your fault.

- If a guy tells you he's a jerk, he's a jerk. If he tells you he's interested, he's interested. If he tells you he has a girlfriend but that he loves you, - run.

- Getting your degree with be the easy part. It's what you do AFTER you have it, that's challenging.

- You are smarter than you think you are.

What I wish I would have known 10 years ago, at age 15

- You know that girl in your highschool that you think is perfect? The one who always wears the Calvin Klein jeans and looks like she's just walked out of a toothpaste ad with her ever smiling grin? Yeah, she doesn't know what the hell she's doing with her life either.

- Don't worry. You will fall in love. I promise.

- Boys have feelings actually. And treating them poorly is bad form, and your mom raised you better than that. Plus, karma is going kick your ass in a few years with a string of bad dates and boys who think the word "tits" is a completely respectable term to throw out upon meeting. Be nice.

- Being rebellious doesn't make someone more interesting. Don't feel bad for not sneaking out and driving around town sipping strawberry wine with girls who have secret tattoos and hate their parents.

- Step away from the hairspray. Your bangs are now officially a fire hazard.

- He's not being mean to you, he's flirting with you. Flirt back.

- You are prettier than what you think you are.

What I wish I would have known 20 years ago, at age 5

-Listen sweetheart, you're mom has something called a 'hobo' purse. In fact, because your mom is a shopaholic she has a ton of them. And they are just going out of fashion so she's going to donate them to Goodwill. DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN. One day in your future, those bags will become insanely popular again and you and your mom will reminisce over them. Save the bags!

- That's it. You are pretty much perfect.

19 comments:

Ally said...

Nice work. I especially agree with the degree getting part being much easier than the figuring out how I want to use it part. And amen on the holding grudges--what a way to give others' power over you.

Swistle said...

I loved this. When people ask "What would you tell your younger self?," I never have a good answer. You had LOTS of good answers.

Bre said...

Such an awesome post! I love it!

Jennifer said...

Yet another reason why I love your posts! GREAT one! May have to steal, er I mean, do the same thing.

Good for you and the grudges :)!

tulipmom said...

Linked here from Jennifer's blog. This is a fabulous post!!

JustRun said...

Awww, this is very adorable!

megabrooke said...

i really liked this! just this morning on my drive into work i was thinking about writing something about "what i would tell my younger self." you did a great job!

Beth said...

I laughed out loud when I read the one about the hairspray. I remember those days so well even though I have tried to block them out. I remember using an entire bottle of Rave hairspray in a week because apparently I thought hair that moved when the wind blew was so uncool. If only I knew then what we all know now...

Anonymous said...

Too cute! I love it! The house burning down, that sucks! Aaak! Too bad on those hobo bags though...

The Exception said...

This was such a great post to read first thing this morning. And... what would you tell your 25 year old self?

Anonymous said...

I love this post. Every category made me smile. Thank you for making my morning!

Nikki Neurotic said...

I really liked that list. I'll have to keep some of those in mind as well.

Still Searching said...

Hehehe.. this was a fun read :) And true too :)

Shauna Loves Chocolate said...

Fantastic Post!

Sarah said...

After a mini-college reunion, I was looking at some pictures and thinking of the things I wish I had known at 20, and many of them are on your list!

I think we all could have used just the advice that you're giving, especially anything that has to do with not being so hard on ourselves (i.e., you are prettier than you think you are).

anne said...

I was standing in line behind high school seniors the other night and thinking about what I would tell my 18 year old self, now 10 years later. You hit the nail on the head.

Melissavina said...

So true. That Calvin Klein high school girl made me crazy.

Thanks for the good dose of wisdom.
If only I had saved some of my mom's old stuff... I'd be a complete fashionista.

HippieChyck said...

Brandy - once again, fantastic. Particularly the part about boys having feelings actually. I seem to continually forget this. Very good, this reminder.

Oh wait. Was I supposed to learn that at 15?

'liya said...

Okay well everyone has said they loved this post. I love it too :D