Dear 18 Year Old Me

As part of the National Health Blog Post Month Challenge

3. Dear 18 year old me. Write a letter to yourself when you were 18. Be sure to tell yourself what to do more of, what to do less of, and what you have to look forward to in the next few (or several) years.

Dear Sabrina,

Well, let's see. You've had a pretty good life so far, so have that to be thankful for. And I promise, it only gets better from here. Granted, you will be thrown some curve balls along the way but it's how you deal with them that makes life so much easier.
Always remember where you came from. Family is the most important thing and you have the best one. Every family has their drama and fights but always remember they aren't going anywhere and life is too short to be mad. Remember mom's words "always be patient, you're going to get where you're going eventually. Don't stress and take a deep breath" and take on life with dad's carefree and forgiving attitude, being there for the ones you love. Remember your bond with Marina and Nicholas. Siblings fight all the time and the past is the past, mend fences and love with the big heart you have.

Being diagnosed with psoriasis is a hard thing to learn—but things could be worse. Even though there is no cure for this auto-immune disease, dealing with it in the right way will help you out in the long run. Be patient. You will be able to make a difference while having this disease by becoming a NPF mentor and help more people than you know. Hang in there, it gets better.

College will be the best time of your life. Scary at first, like every new experience. But tackle it with the confidence you have. You will change your major SEVERAL times, but you will eventually find something you are great at. Join a sorority and you will make a difference, meet some life-long friends and your future bridesmaids.

You will meet the man of your dreams. It's not going to happen fast, so don't get frustrated. And throw away your plan of "I'm going to be married by 25 and have 2.5 kids by the time I'm 30" Be patient (starting to sound like a theme, huh?). When you meet him, you will know and he will change your life in so many amazing ways. He will be the strong and confident, unique and caring and the most handsome man you know. You will learn how to compromise, be financially organized (yes, it's possible) and love him unconditionally. Yall's marriage will be the happiest most exciting time in your life to date. You will also live in some really cool places with each other, rely on only each other and learn how to take on life together.

You will also have the best job out of college, interning (and eventually being promoted) at a reputable PR agency. Look to her as your mentor because everything you learn from her will give you the confidence you need professionally to do some amazing things.

Be better at receiving constructive criticism and becoming more proactive. You will learn time management skills and how to prioritize the many projects in your life.

Continue to be the kind-hearted, sweet, smart, forgiving, confident person everyone tells you, you are. Love unconditionally. Be patient. Everything happens for a reason. Be thankful everyday. This life is what you make it and will be the best one you can live.



This post was written as part of NHBPM – 30 health posts in 30 days: http://bit.ly/vU0g9J