One more week before our mornings turn into packed lunches and the rhythm of the school year.
This year feels different, because in just nine days, I will have two kids in high school. One is a senior, the other is a freshman.
It is a milestone that is both beautiful and bittersweet. On one hand, I am so proud of the young women they are becoming, they are confident, kind, very smart, and finding their own paths. But on the other hand, I can feel the shift, I know these next nine months will be full of lasts for my senior. The last homecoming, the last first day of school picture, the last family packed Friday night football game.
I remember when the summers felt endless when they were little. Back then the days were filled with sticky popsicle hands, tumbling in the backyard, and me chasing them with sunscreen before going to the pool.
Now, I see how quickly the seasons change. I see how we go from carrying them on our hips to standing to give them hugs and they are just as tall or taller than you are.
This last week of summer, I am slowing down. Not because I am dreading the change, but because I want to really see it, I want to soak in these minutes without rushing through them like I sometimes think I do.
And before this school year begins, I want to tell both of my daughters a few things:
Your worth is not tied to grades, your GPA, which college you get into, popularity, your clothes, or how you look.
- People will remember how you made them feel, not what you wore.
- High school is really loud. Listen to yourself more than you listen to the noise.
- The right friends will make you feel lighter, not heavier.
- Do not leave people out. You never know how much it might mean for them to be included.
- You are allowed to have bad days, you’re allowed to be stressed, anxious, sad, mad, feel your feelings and emotions. I am always just a text away when you are in school and I will always be here when you get home from school to talk.
- Never chase someone who makes you question your worth or value no matter if it’s friends, a boy, anyone. The right people will never make you feel less than.
- Protect your peace. Not every invitation or opinion deserves your time.
- Be brave enough to stand up for things that matter to you.
- Choose kindness even when it is not the easiest choice
- Always hold the door for people if you get to it first
- Talk to someone if you’re struggling
- Take it one day at a time
- Never forget you matter and you are worthy
- If you see someone struggling help them or tell someone
And I want to remind myself:
- These transitions are worth pausing for.
- Change does not mean loss, it means growth for them and for me.
- The best way to honor this season is to be fully here for it.
So, to the moms counting down these final summer days, no matter what grade they’re going into… take the trip to get ice cream, sit outside together after dinner, say yes to one more late night swim, laugh, talk, and take a few too many pictures ( if they let you! Who am I kidding, mine will probably so no pictures).
We can’t slow time, but we can make it matter, because in the blink of an eye, another last will be here and we will be so grateful we made the most of this one.
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
