With graduation season coming to a close I couldn’t help but think about my high school years and all the emotions I felt that day back in 2008 when I graduated from high school.

It’s such a great accomplishment and something to be proud of. Today I wanted to share the top things I would tell myself when I was graduating from high school and advice I think any 18 year old can greatly benefit from.

1. Believe that ANYTHING is possible -Ok, ok so this one I know might be a little cheesy but I believe this needs to be ingrained into every child’s mind! Imagine the difference it would make in a child’s life if from a young age we were taught that we can be and do anything we set our minds too. It would give us so much confidence and ambition to set our goals high.
2. Never stop learning- Everyone has different interests and I think it’s so important to continue to be a student event after high school or college graduation. The world is full of amazing information right at our fingertips. Being knowledgeable about different subjects allows you to easily connect with others and makes you into an interesting conversationalist. 
3. Take time to know yourself-  A few years after I graduated high school I really dove deep into who I was and what I wanted to create with my life. And I think it’s so important to not only know the basics such as what are your strengths and weaknesses but to ask yourself questions like, what does success mean to me? Where do I want to be when I’m 40? What brings true happiness to my life? I think diving deep into who we are makes for a happier life. 
4. Choose wisely who you surround yourself with- People change and I think it’s a normal and a healthy thing to realize that maybe your high school friends aren’t meant to be lifetime friends. I’m sure you’ve heard the quote by the amazing motivational speaker Jim Rohn that says “You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” It’s true. 
5. Immerse yourself in something you love- One thing I know for sure is that when you find something you love whether it’s reading books, cars, hiking, volunteering at your local animal shelter, etc. you gotta immerse yourself in it. Not only will it bring so much joy into your life but you never know what passions you might discover that can lead to even a career path!

6. Get out of your comfort zone- I wish someone would have told me the importance of doing things that scared me every day. Fear is something we all deal with and I believe the sooner we start taking risks and facing unknown situations head on the easier it will become. You will gain so much confidence when you push yourself to do the things that scare you. 

7. Set goals and write them down– In recent years I’ve become a huge goal setter and I love writing them down. It helps me stay on track on what I want to accomplish and keeps me focused.

8. Keep an open mind- When someone graduates high school they probably have an idea of what they want their life to look like but…we all know life doesn’t always go as planned. Be flexible in your approach and don’t beat yourself up when you change direction. Give yourself some time to gain clarity.

9. Take time for self-care- I can’t stress enough the importance of being good to oneself. Eating right and getting sufficient exercise is vital for a long healthy life. When you’re young you might feel invincible but sooner or later if you don’t treat your body right it will catch up to you.

10. Love and Be yourself- If I could go back in time and talk to my 18-year-old self I think this would be the most important piece of advice I would share with her. I know I dealt with some serious confidence issues. I felt I wasn’t pretty enough, too quiet, not as outgoing as others. I focused on what I lacked rather that all the amazing qualities I had. Learning to love who you are is not an easy thing, it’s an ongoing journey but one that I love being in. 

And there they are! Things I wish I could have known when I was 18, leaving high school and stepping into a whole new world.

Now it’s your turn. What is one thing you would tell your 18-year-old self? Leave your thoughts in the comments down below!

Thanks so much for reading and as always,

Wishing you love, success, and a lifetime of bliss!