Do you have any words of wisdom you wish you’d heard when you were younger? Or words you wish you had believed when you did hear them? I may have more than the ten below, but for now… my list – in no particular order (although clearly the last one is the most important).

1. Don’t try to be something you’re not to impress others. It’s exhausting and you’ll never know if anyone really likes you.
2. Don’t lie to yourself. I know exactly how easy it is to convince yourself every irrational thought in your head is completely true. Chances are, lots of those thoughts really are only in your head.
3. Collect lots and lots of experiences and memories, not lots and lots of stuff.
4. Don’t assume it’s love. It could be infatuation or lust or a Band-Aid for loneliness or too much wine or a great visit with your friend Mary Jane.
5. Don’t change your life or sacrifice your dreams for someone else’s. And don’t depend on someone else for your happiness. Make your own joy.
6. If faced with the choice, saving is pretty much always better than spending.
7. Try to figure out what you’d enjoy doing for the rest of your life and go for it; put higher education on hold until you have some idea what you want to study.
8. You do not have to be perfect. And you do not have to be like your sister or brother or cousin or any other relative or friend… you just have to be you. Resist comparing yourself to anyone. Give yourself a break.
9. Ignore everyone who thinks you’re weird because of your fashion choices or your love for The Smiths [or whatever you’re into].
10. Do not eat that whole box of Twinkies. Trust me. Regret…