TGIF! Anyone else feeling a little bit like that? Dane and I are hopping on a place to Iceland today (with a little pit stop on the way), so be sure to follow along over on Instagram to see where we are headed, what we are doing and most importantly…what we are eating! Iceland is the land of the hot dogs (or so I hear), so I’m a tad bit nervous, but I am hopeful we find some good eats 🙂 Today officially marks the end of WEEK THREE of my September Blogging Challenge, which means there is only one week left. HOLY CRAP! When did that happen?! If you missed my blogging challenge announcement post, I’ve been feeling a little bit uninspired by blogging and social media and I wanted to bring it back to where it all began…little old me behind my keyboard tapping away. And so – that’s what is happening! I know there are “blog every day” challenges, but honestly – I don’t blog every day as it is, so committing to 30 days was intimidating for me. Instead, I put together 20 prompts that really inspired me and whipped up a list for when you can expect them here. Today’s prompt is A Letter To My Teenage Self + I’ve been a bit nervous  about this one, mostly because, my teenage self was a MESS! Maybe nervous isn’t the right word for it, but oh, how I wish I could actually write this letter to my teen self!
A Letter To My Teenage Self
Dear Kait,
First of all – stop putting sun-in in your hair – HOLY SHIT. Orange is not a good look for you, so just stop trying to “get highlights” and embrace your pretty naturally brown hair. Also, please stop straightening your hair with an actual iron and a towel – learn to use a straightener like a normal human being. In your 20s you will start to embrace your wavy hair and someone will finally show you what a curling rod is, so there’s hope for you and that mane yet!
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way – start listening to your parents. Not just hearing them, but listening. As a know-it-all teen they might seem a little bit overbearing, but they love you so much, so just keep getting good grades and being honest with them and you’re going to be good to go. They truly only want what is best for you and you will all jump up and down in the driveway the day you get your acceptance to Penn State.
You’re going to lose your grandfather in high school and it’s going to gut you from the inside out. Take every opportunity you can to sit at the window with him and watch the birds tease the squirrels on his bird feeder — they will become your fondest memories.
Stop stressing out about boys. Your husband is already in college, so just use these years to have fun and find yourself. When your college boyfriend breaks your heart, please delete his cell phone number and know that it’s not the end of the world (though you’re going to feel like it is).
You’re going to feel a lot of pressure from people you thought you could trust to act, be or feel a certain way. At the end of the day, the only person you can be is yourself and you’ll second guess this (more than once), but you will get through it, find yourself and more importantly – find your way.
Now, don’t laugh too hard – but one day you’re going to like running. I know that sounds crazy, because you will find just about any excuse to skip gym class, but it’s true.
People change and that’s okay, because you are changing, too. Friends and mentors in your life are going to come and go, but your parents are the totem poles — strong, constant, grounding and a reminder of where you come from…love them hard.
Don’t forget to enjoy the little things these days that are going on in your life. One day you’re going to look back and remember them as really fond moments that seemed like no big deal — Friday night football games and performing with the marching band, kayaking on the river, Halloween parades and skipping trick-or-treat to hand out candy with your parents, pep rallies, discovering an appreciation for literature in a class you thought you would hate, finally getting your license and driving around with your dog listening to Jimmy Buffett and random weekend dinners where your whole family shows up. You’ll also enjoy some pretty incredible summers at the Jersey shore, a really fun trip to Martha’s Vineyard (though you’ll initially be annoyed at going) and an insane trip to the Dominican Republic where the bartenders will think you’re 21 – just go with it!
You have so much to look forward to in your 20s, but don’t rush through this special time either. Try to enjoy every minute!
Love, Your future self
Did you write a letter to your teenage self today? If so, please link it up below and be sure to stop back on Monday for the final week of my September Blogging Challenge! Where did it go?!