The Chronicles Of Nay

Dear 16-year-old Naomi,

Just a few things that I have learned in the last 17 years.

First, always be true to you. Never think that you have to change who you are to try to fit in. The older I get the more and more I love the quote from Dr. Seuss that says, “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those that matter don’t mind”. Yes, it is a little creepy how he rhymes everything, but it is some good advice. Remember that the people that are closest to you and love the most won’t ever mind that you disagree or that you are a little different! Haha as you get older you start to realize that its ok to be different. That really after high school no one really cares how “normal” you are. Stand up for things that you believe in and always stand up for the little guy!

Second, always follow your gut. You are a pretty good judge of character, don’t doubt yourself. If you get that little feeling in the pit of your stomach listen to it. You know like maybe don’t go on the date with the stranger from the food court! Haha However, don’t ever stop giving people the benefit of the doubt. This will be a battle that you will struggle with forever! There will be heartache when you give someone the benefit of doubt and it bites you in the ass but I promise you will learn a lot about yourself and about people in general. It takes a long time to get over the hurt but I promise you do. Sometimes you can come off as a bit much remember, and people give you the benefit of the doubt, just be prepared because it is a double-edged sword for sure! Again, heartache will happen, but it will also be worth the risks sometimes!

Third, have a little fun every now and then. Loosen up! There is plenty of time to be stressed and overwhelmed when you are an adult that has real bills and real problems! I promise 16-year-old problems are no problems at all! If you stopped procrastinating your problems would not exist! Haha

Fourth, dad is right, don’t tell him, about a lot of things! Like when it comes to hard work and his knowledge of how to do things. When he says that you will need to know how to do blah blah blah. Just learn it! Actually, learn more! Learn all the things he knows and wants to share! Later in life this will be helpful when you can replace a garbage disposal by yourself but you will wish you knew more other times!  His knowledge about life. One of the things he says all the time that you won’t value until much later is “people can take a lot of things from you, but they can’t take your education away from you”. Which leads me to the next point.

Fifth, study harder, care more, you are smart! I know that school doesn’t come as easy as it does for others. However, dad is right, your education is going to take you places. Be proud of it and work a little harder at it, it’ll make life a little easier in the future! Stop comparing yourself to other people. You are smarter than you think you are!

Sixth, its ok for people not to take you seriously. That is their problem not yours. They will continue to underestimate not only you but your intelligence. At times it will be frustrating, at other times it will come in handy! However, never stop finding the humor in life! There are times that your friends are going to need you to find humor in situations, it’s a gift you will get better at!

Seventh, hug them every chance you get. I know now you don’t want to think of a time that your grandparents aren’t around but when they aren’t trust me, you will wish you had one more hug! Ask them questions about their past. Have coffee with them one more time. Do the crossword puzzle with them. Remember their perfume the smell of fabric softener and cologne, the smell of coffee that lingers on them when you hug them, all of the things that make them… them. Make all the memories with them now you will miss them when they are gone and it’s sooner than you can imagine!

Finally, keep following your heart. Life is an adventure. How many other clichés can I put here! Haha but really. Live life the way you want to! Enjoy what you do and remember that people are going to talk and judge but if you are living your best life, it doesn’t matter! It will take you a lot longer to realize this but once you do… you are much happier!

Sincerely,

33-year-old Naomi