Life Lessons of a Natural Blonde – Advice to My Younger Self

Being a blonde is a lot of fun!

But sometimes we get a bad reputation.

A couple of years ago I wrote a post on Vogue Happiness called Life Lessons of a Natural Blonde. Today I am taking it a step further by writing a letter to my younger self. Mercy Me’s “Dear Younger Me” is quite popular right now. Bart, the lead singer, writes and sings a song to his younger self. He goes from the mundane to the serious because really, where do we start? Nothing can change our pasts, but perhaps something I write can inspire or change the way you look at your past. Or maybe you will share this with a “younger you” that needs the encouragement. Some of these notes are for fun, but some are serious. One thing is certain – remember who you are and whose you are.

Dear Younger Me,

1. Be yourself. Own who you are.
2. Don’t take life too seriously. If you can’t laugh at yourself, you’re setting yourself up for trouble. Things happen. Perspective is key. I remember little spats being the end of the world, and now it’s just silliness. Focus on what matters, and let the rest go.
3. Look for the positive in all things. It is there if you will just look.
4. Don’t rush and never settle. If it’s God’s will, it will be.You don’t have to have it all figured out just yet. That only causes more anxieties. Work hard and enjoy your friends and family. Let things work out the way God wills. You don’t have to plan every minute of every day (I’m still working on this one!). Trust God, yourself, your instincts, and be kind.
5. Accept constructive criticism as it comes, but consider all opinions wisely.
6. If you don’t want people to know about it, don’t do it! (And for Pete’s sake, don’t post it on social media!)
7. Never Google your ailments.
8. Listen to your Daddy. He’s usually right. (Except when he chooses to wear red suspenders in public. This is NEVER right, Daddy!)
9. Don’t take Facebook quizzes too seriously. I am “a male, mid-50s with a purple aura and my Disney princess soul-sister is Mulan”. Huh?
10. Wear your seat belt.
11. Manage your stress before it manages you. (That was wise, wasn’t it? Grin!)
12. Look both ways before you cross the street. (I might be speaking from experience on this one…)
13. No sun tanning. I didn’t get this pale by laying in the sun!
14. Pay off your debt. Even this blonde knows that credit cards can be the devil.
15. No smoking.
16. Make sure the glass door is open before you go running through it… (Again, I might be speaking from experience…)
17. Take care of your skin. (See number 13.)
18. Schedule time each day to do nothing.
19. Dogs are your best friends.
20. Go to church. (Yes, there can be a few hypocrites there, but I can’t imagine a better place for them. I hate that excuse!)