10 Realistic Things I Wish I Could Tell My 17-Year-Old Self

Remember when you had a crisis at 17 and it seemed like such a big deal? At that time, it really was. However, as we get older and experience life more, we start to have more of an ability to deal with all the random curveballs that life throws at us. We are humans — we adapt and we survive.

2. Value inner beauty, but take care of your health.

Always appreciate people for their kindness, honesty, and loyalty among other good qualities, but also pay attention to what you put in your body. I gained 25–30 kgs (55–65 lbs) in college and never cared until I started to have health issues. (However, I did realize who my true friends were, when I was at my worst). Have a good heart but don’t get too carried away with junk food.

3. Not everyone will like you and some people will judge you. But it truly doesn’t matter.

It took me years to realize this and it was such a relief. It matters what my family and friends think of me, but it is really unnecessary to care what others think or say about you. Because the truth is that even if you don’t do anything — people will talk. Sometimes people are bored and have such low self-esteem that they will find some strange satisfaction in talking bad about others. All I can say is, when you know people will talk about you, make it worth their while.

4. Spend time with your grandparents, if you’re lucky enough to have them.

Grandparents are like the lenient parents without any rules that treat you like you are a miracle from God, and the truth is that they really believe it. Spend as much time with them as possible, listen to their stories and value that time because you will really miss them once they are gone. I know I do.

5. Success in school does not necessarily result in a successful career.

I remember people who were excellent in school who didn’t really do much with their lives after they graduated and I also know people who somehow managed to graduate and are extremely successful. Don’t push yourself too hard in school; not…