My Mental Health Journey #33

What advice would you give to your teenage self?

[Insert here, an image of my teenage self].

7 Pieces of Advice to My Younger Self

1. Take health education seriously! Learning the natural process of our mind, body, and connections teaches us to depend on ourselves for healing, and less on medication.
2. Forgive yourself for your mistakes. Breaking a boy’s heart at 15 isn’t the end of the world as they made it to sound. You were young, and unable to fully understand who you were as a person.
3. Save your energy for people who are worthy of it. Not every smile is a friend. Not every scorn is from an enemy. Not every Christian acts Christ-like.. And never will a “clique” understand how they project their unwelcome aura as obviously than an outsider.
4. Find a homeless shelter, food bank, or alike to spend some time giving back. Our stories have brought us to where we are, today. Absolutely NONE of us are ordained or appointed to judge. Likewise, none of us know all the unspoken truth about everyone we meet.
5. Love Yourself! When you take time to create a best version of you, you do what’s necessary to protect and nurture it.
6. Diversify your reality. If you grew up in a small town, move away for college. If you have an opportunity to study abroad, take it. Expanding your knowledge of customs, religions, practices, traditions, and lifestyle will only deepen your empathy and humble your appreciation for your gifts.
7. Listen to understand, rather than to respond. Communication is essential for the best, quickest, and most accurate process to results. It’s a lack of communication that is the easiest and most frequent roadblock in today’s society.

I love you. Though I feel I’ve never left you, I don’t think I’ve ever really been fair to you. Life was so confusing then. I’m so happy I understand so much more now. Thank you for sitting with me; and, I’ll always be proud of you.

With Love and Light,

Nova Namastè