January 22, 2014

Dear 21-year-old Kristin,

Enjoy the fact that you haven't worked out in 2 years and are a size 4, despite eating french fries for dinner and Doritos for lunch.  See how that works out for you in another year.

2007


Don't worry about that boy you think is perfect.  Yes, he's cute.  But it'll end after 7 months.  Admit it: you know there's no chemistry there.  Some things are more important than "super cute".  Also, please stop being so shallow.


And don't ever spend $40 on a set of shampoo and conditioner again.  You can't afford it.  

Appreciate real friends.  They are few and far between.  It took a few years of college before you made a real one.

Please stop eating so many boxes of Nerds.  I know they're your favorite food.  Grow up.  

You're about to embark on your education classes. Only 3 more semesters to go! Enjoy it while it lasts.  Real teaching is great, but not nearly as fun as student-teaching.  Too bad you didn't get paid for that gig.  You'd never been poorer, but you'd also never been happier to be a teacher.  Making it a real job will take away the novelty.


Don't worry about not being engaged at college graduation.  I know all those other people are.  I know.  But seriously, build a bridge and get over it.  You're going to meet someone amazing and be better for it.  Then he will move you to Alaska.


Speaking of…those PA Education Standards you spent 2 years memorizing?  Forget them.  You'll never get to teach in Pennsylvania.  (You should probably take an Alaska History class if you have a chance though…)

And speaking of boys…just wait it out.  I know that everyone seems like they have it figured out, but you don't believe in that high school sweetheart stuff anyway.  Your parents met at a bar and they've been married for decades and had kids on purpose.  You'll meet your husband at a bar too.  Give it a year or so.

Don't order that college class ring.  You'll wear it twice.

Get the drinking out of your system now. By 22 1/2, hangovers start to last all day.  You'll never drink vodka/cranberry or rum/coke again.

7 years from now, you'll have had 4 years of teaching experience in 2 different states at 2 different grade levels.  Please stop trying to find a job in Pennsylvania.

I know you think your 20s are going to last forever.  They won't.

And I know you swore off military guys after what's-his-face.  We'll see how that works out for you.

Lastly, don't be afraid to leave home.  Traveling is the best thing you can spend your money on.  I'm glad you splurged on a Caribbean vacation after college.  There's more traveling in your future, for sure.  Don't be afraid of it.

Sincerely,
28-year-old Kristin

16 comments:

  1. I love this! I wish I could actually go back and tell my 21 year old self sooo many things.

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  2. sounds A LOT like what 28 year old Kacy would tell 21 year old Kacy :)

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  3. Oh gosh. You did this so well. There are a fewwwwww things 27 year old Joey would say (scream) at 21 year old Joey. Why do we all make so many mistakes at that age? I swear it's a requirement to graduate college. Mistakes made? Credit hours awarded: 500. I just might have to do something like this.

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  4. OMG yes about the college ring. And the metabolism. And the mistakes that are cranberry and vodka. No thanks! Some parts of getting older aren't that bad...

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  5. This is an amazing post! I think I want to do one of these to my 18 year-old self, if you don't mind me stealing it ;)

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  6. I love this! I would have so much to say to my younger self. I may have to steal this (with credit of course!)

    Happy Wednesday

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  7. I love this! I wrote a letter to my 16 year old self one time!! It's a great way to reflect on life!! Happy Belated Birthday!!

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  8. Love this! Oh 21 year old Jane was a mess. lol

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  9. This reminds me of the fax Dwight "sent to himself from the future" haha.

    If I had been able to read a letter from my future self, I can't help but think of all the things I would have done differently!!! Kind of a depressing thought sometimes, actually...

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  10. Wouldn't it have been great if you could have told your 21 year old self this for real? I probably wouldn't have listened to my 28 year old self, I was a pretty stubborn 21 year old.

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  11. Didn't really stick to that swearing off of military guys, did you? :) Well, I swore I never wanted to get married...so I guess we learn as we age. haha!

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  12. I so wish I could go back and tell my younger self so many things! I think your advice to yourself is very wise. :)

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  13. This is awesome! Oh there is so much I would say to my 21 year old self.

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  14. Great minds.... I've got a post similar to this in the queue. It's funny to look back and see what we were so worried about and how our perceptions have changed.

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  15. I love this post. LOVE it! I may have to steal your idea. :)

    There are so many things I'd go back and tell myself. Vodka and Cranberry is one of them...

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  16. I did a similar comment, not a post, on a photo I posted of myself from elementary school, but like everyone else here, I may have to borrow your idea and do it blog-style when I finally get back into writing regularly... maybe in a month or so when I'm done getting my Level II certificate... ugh! Although, by the time I write mine, it'll probably be a letter from 29-year-old Katharine to 21-year-old Katharine... ugh! I'm almost 30! How the hell did that happen???? Shawn's already 30 (will be 31 in May). I'm married to an OLD MAN! :P I'm still in my early 20's at heart... just with a much older, wiser brain (and a less than stellar physique... thank you, Liam)! I am, however, working on that, too! :)

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