24 Words of Wisdom for a 17-yr-old Me

Posted by Troy | Filed under Self Project

Kind of hard to believe I’m nearly twice my age. If I could give my 17-year-old self some wisdom, what would it be?

Be a friend to the weird kids. They have much to teach you.
Don’t obsess about girls so much.
Stop pretending you don’t obsess about girls.
Raise more hell. Right now is your only chance.
Don’t wait til you’re 21 to start reading.
Save your sketches and writings.
Your friends are also struggling with porn and also terrified to talk to anyone about it. Break the ice.
You’ll never stop sinning. No one will. You’re totally missing the point.
Your parents are going to be o.k. somehow.
You are less o.k. than you realize. Get some help (you’re gonna have to be brave though).
The truth really does set you free.
You don’t have to be good at drawing to be a good artist.
God’s will isn’t a mystery. You’re living it.
Stop and ask directions right away.
Don’t take your balls for granted.
Riding the bench is a waste of your time.
Have a small adventure every day. Have big adventures regularly.
She’s not The One. Not even close. In fact she doesn’t even really like you that much.
That Looney Tunes shirt you’re saving will never be back in style, not even in an ironic way.
Take sports less serious. In fact, take just about everything less serious.
Hang onto your friends. (spoiler: you actually do this and it is pretty amazing)
There might actually be folks that don’t attend Calvary Baptist in heaven.
Being a grown-up is kind of a drag sometimes. Don’t be in such a hurry.
Don’t let fear get to you. The future is o.k. (and Saved by the Bell reruns are still on. aw yeah!)

This post was inspired by Andrea’s list.

Tim Clark Says:
August 16th, 2010 at 5:54 pm
HaHaHa. Nice.
noel Says:
August 16th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
this list is so good. i totally love 14. #s 19 and 22 made me bust out laughing.
Paul Says:
August 16th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
I love this! You’re genuinely a reflective practitioner. I’m taking this to heart immediately – daily small adventures and regular big adventures.
Paul Says:
August 16th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
I think I would add, ‘If you’re gonna quit a job, be sure to take plenty of pens.’
Tiff Says:
August 17th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Cried through this for some reason… Probably thinking that I could never limit my advice to less than 50 for a 15 year old me (ok, fine, 15.5). Numbers 4, 10, 18, and 23 are my faves. And I would edit 22 to include there will be people in heaven who are not baptists! (cue audible gasp)

Number15 mace me LOL
melanie Says:
August 17th, 2010 at 6:58 pm
19, 22, 24 are awesome. i guess i will have to throw out tim’s looney tunes shirt right now (that is XXL). and of course saved by the bell is still on…it’s the best.