advice to my younger self

Let me read it to you...

Go to college when your parents are willing to pay for it. You don't have to know how it will all turn out. Don't smoke - it's the worst.

Listen, your mom loves you. She wants to protect you, wants better for you. Parenting is hard, give her a break. Find the loving messages in the haystack of real life unfolding between you. I'm not saying you should do everything she wants you to do. Just let yourself be loved by her.

I know you won't believe me, but men are stupid. (I won't tell you about women's stupidity.) You'll do better if you let some of those guys keep walking. And when you get your heart broken, because we all do, I want you to know you're going to be ok. Cry, but not too long. There's another adventure just around the corner.

Stop making more debt. You're not entitled to things you don't have the money to buy. Credit cards are a trap and it can take a lifetime to get free. Live lighter while you are young. Have roommates. Drive an old car. Wear second-hand clothes. Enjoy the simplicity of having less. Save for retirement.

You're going to try Botox. It will hurt.

When you're fifty, you're going to discover what a waste of time it is to worry what other people think. Think about letting that worry go a little earlier. What lunacy other people think is really none of your business. And if they're judging you, they have too much time of their hands.

Eat your veggies. Jojoba for your skin and hair. Floss - just do it.