I didn’t take a lot of pictures back then but here is high school graduation day (age 17) and Christmas circa 2005 (age 15). And as you can tell, I loved ponytails and Spongebob pants.

I’ve been thinking about new things to do on the blog and I thought of a new series called, “10 Things”. I’ve already started on it without realizing it, with the Top 10 Best Things About Being Tall and the Occupational Hazards of Being Tall. “10 Things” will be anything from style like my 10 favorite wardrobe items or advice like this one, the 10 things I would tell my teenage self.

Age makes us wise (at least it should. I’m not naming names); learning from our mistakes and growing from them (again you should). It hasn’t been that long since I was a teenager but there are still some things I wish I could tell my 16 year old self that I think would change things for the better. So if I could hop into a time machine right now these are the things I would tell 16 yr old Elayna:

1. Get your driver’s license. Life would be so much easier now if you would stop being so afraid and get your license then.

2. Be more serious about your art. This is more than just a hobby. Paint and draw more at home. Read more art books. Research more artists and art history. The Smithsonian is just a Metro ride away. Even if you have to go by yourself, go. Spend all day in there if you have too (instead of staying in the house all day).

3. Not everyone is going to like you, so trying to make yourself different or be like the “popular” kids so people will like you is pointless. You know you really don’t want to do what they do or be like them so be happy and be yourself. Like the quote says: “It’s better to be hated for who you are, than to be loved for someone you’re not.”

4. Read more. Especially the classics. (I loved to read but I read a lot of teen fiction like Harry Potter and whatnot.) Open your mind to different things.

5. Hang out with friends outside of school more in order to build stronger relationships with people. But Dad was not having that back then (he would not let us have sleepovers, go out with friends or any of that) so this is piece of advice is really irrelevant. Maybe I should’ve tried harder? Even if he didn’t like it maybe I should’ve done it anyway? Would it have been worth it?

6. Have fun with your height. Laugh at the stupid comments and teasing. Don’t let them get you down. You are so much better than what they call you.

7. Don’t worry about not having a boyfriend. You are not weird just because you don’t have one. Take your time. Don’t try to grow up too fast.

8. Don’t think too much about what other people think of you. Or even what you think people are thinking about you. “A tiger doesn’t lose sleep over the thoughts of sheep.”

9. Don’t stop taking those French classes. I stopped taking the classes after the required 2 years in high school. I should’ve kept taking them. I wish now that I was fluent. I believe those classes could’ve helped.

10. Love yourself as you are. If all this stuff that you want to change doesn’t change, accept those “flaws” and love yourself anyway. You are your own harshest critic. See yourself the way God sees you and to Him, you are perfect the way you are.

That’s it for this edition of “10 Things”. What is something you would tell your teenage self? Share below!

Until next time,

Elayna

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