It’s My Birthday!

Today is my birthday.

2020 has been a whirlwind year. I feel that I have grown more this year than other years because it has been a year of introspection. When I was in class in January 2020, my professor, who was very in tune with what was happening, warned us that this virus was coming. By March, we had moved to a shutdown. We were working from home, school was home, daycare was home, we were all home.

Being at home, I reflected on where I was and what I wanted. From those reflections, this year, I have started this blog, restarted a podcast, started another podcast, wrote several books and started a website and a business. I have been super blessed for the creative energy and renewed spirit to be able to, dare I say, pivot and create new space and opportunities.

Today, I turn 38. 38 is not typically a milestone year, but it has been 20 years since I turned 18. And looking back, I could not help but be a nostalgic and reflective. 18 year old me would never have dreamed of the life that I am currently living. 18 year old me was happy to stay in the box and in the very center of that box.

I posted this question on my facebook to see what other people thought. “What advice would you give your 18 year old self?” There was some very good advice that I needed to hear now as well as some funny insights on how youth is wasted on the young. I enjoyed reading everyone’s contributions.

I put together my list of 20 things I would tell my 18 year old self. My list is not to tear down or look back in hindsight at missed moments or opportunities. Rather, this is a list of learnings that my 18 year old self needed to hear. There are no big changes.

My list is not about getting the lottery numbers. There are no differences that I would make in how I have led my life. I am confident that my 18 year old self would have rolled her eyes at hearing some of these items and cried at hearing others. I am so grateful to be able to make this list and to able to share it with yall now.

My list is in no particular order of importance and I chose not to elaborate on why I say these to myself. Those are stories for another day.  

At long last, here is my list of 20 things I would tell my 18 year old self.

·       Listen to your mama. She is usually right.

·       People like you. And if they don’t like you, they are not your people.

·       Sing loudly and off key and out of tune in public spaces often.

·       Trying different things doesn’t change your identity.

·       Work out your body. Work out your mind. Work out your heart.

·       Smart is a compliment.

·       Take more pictures.

·       Yes, it was sexual harassment.

·       Enjoy naps.

·       Write more and save it where you can find it later.

·       You will transform many times.

·       It is good to listen, but also talk to more people.

·       Embrace technology.

·       Yes, it was racism.

·       Be scared and do it anyway.

·       Even when you think there is no choice, there is another option.

·       Spend more time with you family.

·       Thank people even when it is awkward and weird.

·       The only constant is change.

·       You are loved.

And that is it. I know there may be some questions, and I may share some in the future. You can always hear more in depth conversations on the Misadventures Podcast.

Please share with me what you would tell your 18 year old self on Instagram.

Disclaimer: All opinions expressed are my own.