04/23/2026
And now you’re 17…
You’re looking out upon the world ahead.
All of it opening up to you.
It’s loud and wild.
And I know you might not hear me over the roar,
but I can’t help but offering you
seventeen points of wisdom I hope to impart….
If you’re listening, here they are:
* You don’t have to have it all figured out by now. I’m in my 40’s and I’m still exploring what I want to be when I grow up. You’ve got time. Run toward your passions, but be ok with changing your path.
* Stay Wild - and by wild, I don’t mean reckless. But free. Free to dance to your own music. Free to say what’s on your mind. Free to be who you are.
* Know your beauty isn’t reflected in selfies. It’s in your raucous laughter. It’s in your ferocity. It’s in your kind heart. It’s in the way that you show up for your people. A snapchat filter can make you look lovely … But that’s not real beauty… You are.
* Don’t make yourself small to fit in. You don’t need to shrink your voice, your body, or your dreams. TAKE UP SPACE. And never apologize for it.
* It’s ok to make mistakes. They might be epic, embarrassing, and even hilarious. But they won’t break you. They’ll make you whole - they’ll make you real.
* Be ok with getting up and leaving any situation that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe. I don’t care if it’s a doctor's office, a family gathering, or a party with friends. It doesn’t matter if you chose to put yourself in that position. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve stayed or how many times you’ve been there. You always have the option to leave if it’s not serving you well.
* You will find your people and they will find you right back. If you walk through life owning your word, your conviction, your truth, you will find where you belong.
* Be Kind, but don’t be a doormat. You can love your people well without letting them walk all over you. Set boundaries with an open heart and strong back.
* Make sure you always have necessities on hand. A bottle of water. A little cash. A first aid kit Chapstick. Your ID. Your sense of self. And a phone charger.
* Know your worth isn’t reflected in numbers. Not on your scale. Not in your test scores. Not in your likes or follows. You are worthy just as you are. Don’t let numbers tell you different.
* Embrace your body. It’s so easy to be judgemental - wanting this to be smaller, this to be bigger- that to be stronger - that to be softer… But your body is your home. Make sure to keep it safe and loved exactly as it is.
* Don’t let anyone tell you that you are too much. If you meet people who do, let them know they are welcome to find someone less than…
* Offer yourself an abundance of grace. Grace for the days you did your best. And grace for the days you could have done better. You’re still learning. Be gentle on yourself.
* Be the love of your life. Before anyone/anything else. Before the guy, the career, the dream home with an ocean view. Love yourself as you are today. That kind of love is sacred
* Be open to adventure. Don’t let guilt hold you back. You deserve to live beyond the limits of small towns and small minds.
* Trust your gut. I know people want to say that teenagers aren’t the brightest bulbs, but you know right from wrong. You have, and will always have, an inherent alarm system. Listen to it. You are not paranoid. If something feels wrong, lean into that intuition.
* Don’t ever be afraid to call in your reinforcements. Whether it’s me, or your dad, or your brother, or your cousin, or a friend you haven’t talked to in years. Recognize the people who will show up for you at the drop of a dime, and call on them whenever you need them. And be the type of person who would do the same for your people.
17 is wild, worried, and discovering
17 is yours.
Live it, love it, and own it.
17 is a good year. ♥️
