Day 4 of 30

Today is Thursday, so it's Writing Prompt Day! This is a welcome distraction from all of the job applications I've been dealing with. If you want to find out more about this challenge, click here.

Today's Challenge: 4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self if you could.

If I could talk to my 16 year old self, I would have a lot to say. Here goes:

1. Just keep running after high school. Seriously. It's far too difficult to have to start all over a few years later.

2. It's okay to date around. And more importantly: it's okay to date someone in the military. They're not ALL bad, and they're not gone ALL the time.

3. When your math teacher claims that you'll always need to know algebra, she's lying. You don't. You'll never use it, and that's why you'll marry someone who is good at math. 

4. Spend more time with your family. They won't always be there, and you'll miss that time.

5. Stay true to your convictions and give up meat now. You'll do it for good in a few years anyway, so you might as well start the vegetarian lifestyle now instead of giving up every time you try.

6. Put more effort into Debate. You love it, so why is it only a hobby? Make it a priority that you work hard for.

7. Take a photography class. You will always wonder why you didn't take one in high school. You enjoy taking pictures, so follow that dream.

8. Thank your teachers for teaching you (and apologize for talking during their classes). You will once wish your students cared enough to say those few words. Make them smile on a regular basis.

9. Try to become friends with your little brother. He's the only one you've got, and you don't want to still be at odds when you're adults. 

10. Write that novel you've wanted to. You'll do it after college, so it's okay. But why not get it done early when you still have the time to edit it and be serious about it? Plus, that would be a major accomplishment for a high school kid.

It feels so weird to reflect in that way, and it reminded me of Brad Paisley's song "Letter To Me" -- and you can find a video of that by clicking here.

Because of all of that reflection, I decided to dig up a handful of pictures of myself from when I was 16, just a sophomore in high school. Enjoy!