Advice to Young Women

Am I qualified to give advice to our next generation of little lady CEOs, writers, nurses, teachers, doctors, mathematicians, musicians, ETC? In some aspects, definitely not. I swear too much and say things that make most adults question my wisdom. But I do have some advice that I wish someone would have shared with me when I was younger and starting to figuring myself out. As a full disclaimer I did have a wonderful mother who was always sharing her wisdom, but I was too sassy-teen-angsty to listen to her. This is the advice I would give to a young Libs:

1. Smile and laugh with no inhibitions. Don't hold back because of the crooked grin, braces, or the fact that no one else is cracking a smile. Smiling and laughter is beautifully contagious.
2. Be nicer to your siblings, they'll probably be your best friends some day.
3. As a young woman, it hurts when someone makes remarks about your body. UNDERSTAND THIS, our society is fucked. You don't deserve to live with insecurity, and I hope you start to practice self love.
4. You will use and abuse eye liner, at some point. If you're grooving with the over the top eye liner, WHO CARES. Most fashion choices you make will be laughable in five years. This is coming from the girl who wore black eye shadow and thick eye liner. I GET IT.
5. Embrace your talents, and work around your weaknesses. No one is good at everything (unless you're Beyonce), so stop comparing yourself to your friends. Take the leap and follow your talents.
6. It's actually very valuable to look like a troll from the ages 11-16. If puberty is too fast/good to you, how would you develop character? The nicest thing my brother ever said to me, as I was in  tears feeling the weight of not being good enough-"Libs you're not the most beautiful girl in the room, but I think you may be the funniest. People who are too good looking don't develop character, and looks don't last forever". YOU LEARN SO MUCH IN THE TROLL YEARS!
7. Your education is valuable, listen to your teachers.
8. It's totally OK to be young, and love things that are a part of your childhood. You don't have to grow up too fast.
9. Don't wear stripper heels. I'm not saying this because they look declasse. I'm saying this because they are painful, and you will eat shit, and it will be embarrassing. I once had a pair of clunky, sparkly pink, high heels. I wore them to church (because I make really good judgement calls), and I slipped and ripped my tights. They also killed my feet. Not worth it.
10. Your friends will disappoint you, and you will disappoint them.  True friendships will grow and forgive. The friendships that fall apart are OK to walk away from.
11.  Invest in a good bra. Life is too short to wear cute push up bras that hurt your shoulders. RESPECT YO BOOBS.
12. Don't be mean to other girls. Girls can be cruel, and your words can affect people. Empower and respect your fellow ladies, even when they aren't being uplifting to you.
13.Every relationship is a lesson. Always learn from the people in your life, but never stick around if it's toxic.
"I believe in the woman I am striving to become." -Tene Edwards

-Libby