Way Back Time Machine Moment

This week I did two career day talks at a high school. One of the students asked me what advice I would give myself in high school. I’ve been thinking about it ever since. I tell my students to be brave, to take risks, but really, what would I tell the younger Julie?

1. Take the business minor. You’ll need it later. But you’re right about trigonometry.
2. Enjoy the shoulder pads. They aren’t coming back, and you rock them.
3. Red lipstick always works.
4. You’re perfect just the way you are. Honestly, I have been on a diet for most of my life, and didn’t need to be back then. I was fine.
5. Regrets are such a waste of time. Both having them, and avoiding them.
6. Being nice and being kind aren’t the same thing. You don’t always have to be nice, you always need to be kind.
7. Take risks. The worst thing that can happen is that you fail, or someone says no. And really, how bad is that?
8. Worrying about what other people think is such a waste of time. You can’t control it. All you can control is how you behave. Behave well.
9. Your life won’t work out the way you expect. It will be great, but different. Trust fate.
10. You know that dream of being a writer? It works out.

So, what would you tell your younger self?