Wohweee, it has been a whirlwind of a trip back on the west coast! My 10-year reunion was this weekend so I decided to make a trip out of it, which has been nice! Well, except for the minor detail that I've pretty much been sick with a nasty cold the whole time.. dang you recirculated airplane air! Even so, it's always so refreshing to get out of the city and have a change of pace back home.
My reunion has been in the works for awhile now -- I may have had a slight heart attack when I got invited to the Facebook Group this Fall. To be totally honest I didn't know if I wanted to come because high school wasn't exactly my favorite chapter. After I found out one of my besties was making the trip from Idaho though, I threw all that hesitation out the window and booked a flight.
The truth is growing up can be tough, hindsight is always 20/20 once you've been through it right?! Since this weekend has been all sorts of nostalgia I thought it was the perfect time to look back and share some lessons I've learned over the years that I wish I could have told my little high school self!
Don't Spend So Much Time Trying to Fit In
You'll spend so much time trying to fit in.. but why?! Instead of trying to wear the perfect clothes, listen to the right kind of music, and like the right kind of movies, just embrace who you really are. The people you're trying so hard to have an impression on today will be a distant memory in a few years so instead focus on growing up and growing into your own skin. Your unique traits and personality will be what will help you get ahead in the future so embrace it!
Have Fun and Put Your Friendships First
The people who love your quirks and embrace you for who you really are? Love them hard. A lot of your friends from high school (and even from before) will become lifelong friends. Forgive each other after petty fights and move on. These people will be your rocks now and in years to come, even when your lives take completely different paths. Soak in as much time with them and make as many memories as you can.
Follow Your Passions
Don't let anyone talk you out of following your passions because it's not the "cool" thing to do. If there's something you love, go for it! Don't be afraid to try new things to find what those passions are too and even more important what you don't love. Trying new things out now will help guide your decisions for your future.
Enjoy the Moment
You don't have to be in such a rush to grow up. Although hey, you'll do some cool things in the future. Try and slow things down and live in the moment. Oh, and appreciate not having to pay bills because that part of growing up won't be as fun later.
Don't Be Afraid to Speak Up
You're going to deal with your fair share of... for the lack of a better word... crap. Don't be afraid to speak up for both yourself or for others. It won't always be easy but it's the right thing to do.
You'll Get Through it Just Fine
There will be so many moments that will feel like the end of the world, but guess what you'll make it out on the other side just fine. Life will always have its ups and downs but just remember high school is only one chapter of your journey.
Even though I didn't love high school, I have to say our reunion really reminded me of all of the good that came out of those years and how far so many of us have come. I have to say I had about a 1,000 times more fun than I even thought I would too. We only had about 60 people from our 350+ class come, but I think that kind of made it even better actually because the people who really wanted to be there wanted to catch up and see everyone.
Funny enough I connected with a lot of people more this weekend than I probably even did in high school. So that was a fun and little unexpected bonus too. It's so cool how you can reconnect and find people you have a lot in common with after a few more years of living life. So here's to embracing our past, appreciating the journey along the way and reconnecting!