Photos from when I was 17, ten years later I'm still an unrepentant nerd.
1) Health: I ate about a burger a day when I started college, I'd be shocked to learn I'd become a health food obsessed raw vegan. I'd always wanted to eat healthier, but didn't have the will power.
2) Career: No one in my family went to college. I had no guidance with school and no clue where I'd apply for work when finished. I was LOST. I'd have never guessed I'd drop out, work in marketing for 3 years, then work for myself successfully for 2 more years.
3) Thrift Core: At 17 I was maintaining different video game and anime websites and had no idea my first actual blog (rather than static website) would become my brand and income source.
4.) Weight Loss: By 17 I'd already consigned myself to the idea that I'd never lose weight and only gain it my whole life, as I had up to that point. I never guessed I'd lose over 20lbs someday and feel/look so much healthier overall 10 years OLDER!
5.) Self-Employment: I've always loved to draw and take photos but was told by authority figures and classmates to finish college and get a real job or I'd end up homeless living in a box or a stripper. (Really!) HA! THIS is my box!
The Future: I'd always wanted to write a magazine or book, but at 17 didn't know my ambitions would become much greater than that. They grow every day. I can't wait to make some weird-ass comedy videos with my roommate! The evolution from our goofy photos and overall weirdness (documented above.)
Like everyone from 17 to 27, I've made a hell out of a lot of mistakes. If I could go back I'd save even more, work harder on building up my future, refine goals and create/practice more. Yet mistakes and bad experiences build us up into what we are now. I was lost and thought I'd never find my path, now I'm self-assured and gunning for my beliefs every day. You might think your dreams for success will never pan out like I did, but never stop working toward it. Even when it seemed impossible I kept going and over time it paid off. I'm excited to keep evolving into the future! Keep at it every single day, and do exactly what you want to do! Come live in a box with me, it's awesome!
What would you tell your 10-years-younger self if you could go back? What mistakes would you avoid if you could go back knowing what you know now?
What an amazing post! I say good for you. Success comes via the back door more often than you think.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jeanne. You really do have to try anything and everything, you never know what a small hobby could turn into...
DeleteSo glad for you! You have a great attitude too! What would I tell my 10 year younger self?? "Hold on! You won't believe what's coming up." Sometimes it's good we don't know the future!
ReplyDeleteThat's a good way to put it, just shows it can ALWAYS get better and that we should never give up hope.
Delete"Sometimes it's good we don't know the future!" - Touche!
DeleteVan you should be so proud of your journey. To be where you are at 27 with those lessons learnt and mistakes made.
ReplyDeleteGee what would I tell my 25 year old self 10 years ago??? You know what I don't think I'd change a thing. I'm a true believer in the universe positioning you exactly where you need to be right now with the challenges and joys of that moment in time. So much of my childhood, teens, formative years and twenties and the mistakes, trials and tribulations of those times have brought me to where I am today.
I think the only thing I'd tell my 25 yer old self that by the time you're 35 you will have experienced higher highs and lowest lows than you have until now. I'd tell myself that despite it all, that I'd be the most fulfilled I've ever been, the most creative I've ever been, fulfilled by all manner of creative pursuits and that it's only the beginning and that there's still so much ahead and in store.
That was my thoughts too, really in the end we wouldn't be where we are now without the lows with the highs. But it's nice to reflect and remember how far we've come.
DeleteI think my story from 10 years ago would be really different than yours. I was 18 and thought without a doubt that I knew what I wanted to do with my life. Being a chef was my only goal in life. Fast forward 10 years and I'm just now realizing that's not what I want to do and taking the leap in a totally different direction of reselling! But I wouldn't warn my 18-year-old chef to change anything. It made me who I am today, and I'm finally becoming thankful for that.
ReplyDeleteI think you should be proud of how much you've accomplished in the past 10 years! Hopefully in 10 years, I'll look back and see that same amount of success
I know and have met so many people who were determined to be one thing at 18 and had their career change completely. I have a friend who finished school to become an architect and now is a ballroom dance instructor, for instance! Often you have to try it to ensure it works for you. Good luck into the future of your new career, Cathey!
DeleteIt's really cool to look back that far and see how far you've come! Now the question is.. are you going to write yourself a letter today for your future 37 year old self? ;)
ReplyDelete... on that theme, I have to go back 23 years to tell my 18 yr old self what to do. Certainly I'd tell him to thrift more!
Not a bad idea! Need to find someone to mail it out to me ;D
DeleteI'd never go back or advise my younger self about any life choices I made as a 20 year old. What we learn and the mistakes me make make us both wiser and better people. xxx
ReplyDeleteYep :)
DeleteLove, love, love this! You are -the best- at motivating and the perfect example of hard work paying off.
ReplyDeleteI love motivating people, that may be turning into a career as well with taking on marketing clients and such :)
DeleteThanks so much for sharing your story, Van. We all need to periodically stop and look back to see how much we've grown and accomplished as a person, especially in our mad rush lives.
ReplyDeleteWhat is so wonderful about your story is that unlike so many people, your life took an opposite route. While many people enter into adulthood fully open and filled with hope, only to close up once they hit their late 20's, you entered into adulthood with uncertainty but have blossomed beautifully. Kudos to you for your wisdom and insight :0)
As for what I would tell my 35-year-old self - the main thing I would say would be to not worry and that I am on the right path for me. Never mind the paths of other people around me. I have my own unique path, and nobody can tell me I'm wrong just because I have an unconventional journey.
As for what I would change - maybe not to be so hard on myself - but then again, to paraphrase what everyone else has said, I wouldn't be where I am today had I not been such a critic of myself.
Not being too hard on yourself is a good one that a lot of people, especially women, don't take into consideration. It's true we need it but we often let it take us to the point of where its counterproductive. Thanks for sharing some of your story!
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