A List to Myself at Seventeen

Inspired by Andrea's list to her 17-year-old self, I made my own list to myself at seventeen:

1. Listen to your art teacher, who believes in you more than you will know for many years to come. And then it will be too late to thank her.

2. Listen to all your teachers. Their wisdom is creating a future you that is well-rounded in ways you couldn't possibly appreciate right now.

3. Keep up with your French. Please.

4. Be kind to your popular and unpopular friends. They will all suffer unspeakable grief regardless of how you see their lives now.

5. Lose the curtain of blond curls that covers your eyes. The world is a startling and beautiful place.

6. Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you. And then humbly learn from them.

7. Let go of grudges. Life is too short to carry such burdens.

8. Accept people for who they are, but be wary of people who do not love their families. Or your family.

9. Do not accept the first offer you get to go to the prom. You would be better off not going at all.

10. You will go through far worse in your life, and with much less drama. Get used to the ride.

11. You know when your English teacher, Mr. Mungeon, says, "Smart people don't get bored."? He is so right!

12. Stop worrying about what others think of you and be honest about who you really are. This will save you years of hardship.

13. About your fondness for Kate Bush, Debbie Harry and The Smiths; you're right.

14. Neon isn't your color.

15. Read more Leo Tolstoy and Henry James, and less Emily Bronte and Thomas Hardy.

16. One day you will count your sisters among your closest friends. You will make mistakes, and they will forgive you.

17. You and your life will turn out nothing like you imagine, and you will be more than okay with it. As a matter of fact, you'll love it.

What would you tell yourself at that age?