The things I would say out loud, and the ones I would probably just hope she feels.
If I could sit down with you right now, no distractions, no phones, no rushing out the door, this is what I would say.
These last five weeks are going to go fast, faster than you think. Right now it probably feels like a mix of excitement, stress, counting down the days, and just wanting to be done. You’re also preparing for AP tests and I know stressed. You also have senioritis, prepping for prom, and stressed about the upcoming year at college.
All of this is normal, that’s exactly how it’s supposed to feel. Take it all in anyway. Even the ordinary parts, even the boring parts, the drive to school, sitting in class, laughing with your friends over nothing, going to get iced coffees, going to get food, dinner, late night taco bell runs, going on walks, the hot yoga, the part of you and your friends getting ready together, the music, the there’s nothing to do, I am so bored parts and days. The routines you’re so used to that you don’t even think about them anymore. Those are the things you’ll miss., not the big events, the everyday moments.
Some things I want to remind you:
- You don’t have to have everything figured out.
- You don’t need a perfect plan.
- You don’t need to know exactly who you are or where you’re going to be in 4 or 5 years.
- That pressure isn’t real, even if it feels like it is. Life doesn’t work like that.
- Be where your feet are.
- When you’re with your friends, be there.
- When you’re at home, be there.
- When you’re feeling excited, let yourself feel it.
- When you feel sad about things ending, don’t push it away. You’re allowed to feel all of it! Let yourself feel sad.
- Take pictures, but don’t live through your phone!
- Some of the best moments won’t be captured.
- Not everything needs to be perfect.
- Not every moment needs to mean something.
- Be kind. To your friends, to people you don’t know well, to people you don’t know at all, be kind to the ones who are struggling more than they show, and be kind to yourself! Always and forever be so kind to yourself.
- Be kind yes, but don’t be a pushover or let people take advantage of you.
- Everyone is in their own version of this ending, and that’s ok.
- You’ve grown more than you realize.
- You’ve handled more than you think.
- You don’t need to be harder on yourself right now.
- Stay close to the people who feel easy to be around.
- You don’t need to chase friendships or force anything in these last weeks.
- Pay attention to who feels good to be with. That matters more than anything else.
- You’re not leaving everything behind. You’re just moving into something new.
- It might feel big and unknown and a little overwhelming, but that’s part of it.
- You don’t have to rush into the next version of yourself.
One more thing as I am Kim Kardashian ugly crying right now with this huge lump in my throat.
Let yourself have fun.
Laugh way too much until it hurts your face and stomach, be a little more present than usual. These are the moments and experiences you’ll carry with you.
This is what I would say. And I would say come talk to me anytime whenever for whatever, to vent, to cry, to laugh, to share something exciting or funny, to get iced coffees, matchas, or whatever whenever anytime! Always and forever and ever.
Nikki Lanigan
Nikki Lanigan is a yoga, HIIT, and Barre instructor, she is also a Holistic Health Coach through Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Nikki is trained in Yoga Shred, Yoga Psychology, meditation, chakra balancing, and EFT/Tapping. She has done trainings with Sadie Nardini and Ashley Turner. She got her 200 hour yoga teacher training in 2017 at the Carrie Treister School Of Yoga. Nikki takes a holistic view of health, helping her students and clients reach a place of self-love not just through movement, but with mindset and lifestyle guidance as well. Nikki is also show prep writer for The McVay Media Show Prep and host of the podcast Fit, Fun, and Frazzled. Connect with Nikki on Instagram. www.instagram.com/nikkilanigan.yogaandwellness www.instagram.com/fitfunandfrazzledpodcast
