I read an interesting forum discussion over at the Post Secret Community that pondered the question of what our 7th grade selves would think of us if they met us today. For most, their responses revealed just how far they’d come in life and how dreams became reality. It also revealed funny truths that your 13 year old self could never have predicted.
The question was especially poignant for me–that single year was the worst of my life, and yet the most crucial in my decision to live differently. Had I not faced a year of misery and depression, I would never have sought homeschool, which forever changed my life.
If my 13 year old self met me today she would:
…be stoked that I own my own house (and she’d like the design a lot) but she’d be surprised it’s in the woods in Aptos
…be shocked I got married so young. She had little interest in the idea
…like my dogs and cats and want to play with them
…be really impressed with my job and glad to see that the Internet had gone beyond BBS’ and AOL
…be utterly shocked that I like avocados. Eww
…be disappointed that I wasn’t playing the flute anymore
…be very surprised that I’m interested in biking but happy with what it does for my health (she was all about dancing)
…never have believed that she would become a good student, let alone valedictorian
…love my friends (and be so grateful to see I would have them. The picture looked bleak at the time)
…love my clothes
…be surprised that I knew how to cook anything other than Mac & Cheese or Stovetop Stuffing
That year would have been so much easier to live through had I the foresight to know what good things lay ahead. But our experiences shape who we are and without them we would never grow strong and realize our ability to not just survive, but thrive.
What would your 13 year old self think?