March 16th, 2020

To My Grandkids,
                    Stop caring what people think. 
     For so long, I lived my life based off what others expected of me. For a long time, I really thought I knew myself, but when I look back on those times now, I had no idea what I was doing or who I was. I was just trying to fit in with the crowd. I didn't like to be alone, cause when I was alone, I would think too much and get overwhelmed-
But now, I love to be alone, because I honestly am the coolest person I know. Now, I'm not saying that to be cocky or snotty- but you are the only person you truly have to live with your whole life... So shouldn't you be the person you love the most? When you truly stop caring about what other people think of you, you begin to find your true self. Beyond finding what style fits you, and how you like to do your hair and makeup without being influenced by trends, you find out what your true personality is. It goes deeper than not caring if your hair is greasy today or not- you stop holding yourself back in every aspect of your life. You find out what your true passions are, and where you feel most creative and free. You figure out what you really want out of this life, and it comes straight from what makes YOU happy, not what your high school friends or teachers expected you to do. For some people, their families really want them to pursue a specific career, join the family business, go to college even if they aren't ready, etc etc... And when people follow blindly, and go with what everyone else wants of them, they are stressed out, and don't find true happiness in what they are doing, because they are living someone else's dream life, not theirs.. My dreams are crazy, and my whole family knows that. I want to travel the world, and work for myself, instead of working a 9-5 office job that I am NOT fit for. At some point, I want to live in a camper van, and roadtrip everywhere. I will become a certified yoga teacher, and travel the world while showing others how to practice yoga, and the benefits it has on all aspects of your life. If I would've listened to what everyone else wanted me to do, I'd be in college, stressed out, thousands of dollars in debt, having no clue what to use my degree for... Now don't get me wrong- I'm not saying college is necessarily a bad thing (I think its a big fat scam, but that's a topic for a different day haha) By all means, if you want to go to college, I hope you do AMAZING in college, and I hope your goals are very clear, and you know what you are going to school for. If that path is for you, I support you completely.. But, if you only went because you are following the crowd, or you don't know what else you'd be doing right out of high school, then I have a question for you- WHY? Because you didn't want the people around you to be disappointed, or because you figured it was your only option? You are so young, you have your whole life ahead of you, so why rush?!
    This world has UNLIMITED OPPORTUNITES, and it’s never too late to jump into something new. If what you are doing right now stresses you out, and you aren’t happy doing it, then STOP, right now, and find out what you have a passion for. If you are working at a bank, but you hate it, and you just want to focus on your art and music, then make that choice to START NOW. Don’t push it off anymore. Start that shiz TODAY, and make it happen for yourself. For some people, having too many options stresses them out, but the beautiful thing about options is that you never have to settle for something that doesn’t truly make you happy! 
    When I was a sophomore/ junior in highschool, I was dead set on joining the army… First of all- I’M SO GLAD I DID NOT….. But at the time, when I was considering it, I was being told college needed to be my next step, and I wouldn’t be able to afford it without the military, so it made sense to join and get paid to go to school right? Well, deep down, I didn’t want to be in such a huge commitment at such a young age. What If I got in and hated it? Then I would’ve been stuck for 4 years…… Anyway, I opted out, knowing it wasn’t my thing, and now, a year or so later I work for myself online making my dreams happen. I didn’t need the military or college to be successful. Still, don’t get me wrong, some jobs require college, I understand that.. But I don’t understand people just going to college and wasting money when they aren’t ready just because it is “what they are supposed to do next”...
    Don’t waste your time, money, or energy on something that doesn’t truly benefit you. Don’t live anyone elses dream except yours. Take the time to make the decision of what you want to do, because it’s NEVER too late to start anything. Some people are in their 50s when they are in college. It’s never too late to build a better life for yourself.
                Even though I haven’t met you yet, I love you!
                                                           We’ll meet someday.
​                                                                         Love, Granny J :)

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