I've been thinking about the past lately. What I used to think was important just isn't what I hold to be important now. In high school, my entire life was centered around a boy who turned out to mean so little in my life. This is just one of the many mistakes I made during my teenage years. If I could go back in time and tell my teenage self the following things, I would in a heartbeat.

1. Be yourself and don’t change for anyone. The way you are is enough. Trust me, you don’t want to be that “fake” girl that has several personalities around different people just to please them. Don't worry about "fitting in." Just be you, boo.

2. Respect your parents. They are only trying to keep you safe even though it may seem like they are deliberately trying to ruin your weekend plans.

3. Love yourself before you love someone else. It is impossible to love someone else if you don’t fully love yourself first. If you don’t love yourself, you are putting your worth in the hands of someone else.

4. You are not a second choice. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that or treat you as if you are.

5. That guy you’ve been crying over every night is not worth it. Seriously. In the grand scheme of things, chances are that boy you dated throughout high school will just be a regretful memory.

6. Karma is real. What goes around comes around. Trust me.

7. Put your phone down. You don’t need to be on it 24/7. Enjoy the company of your family and friends without the distraction of technology. You’ll be surprised how much of life you missed from looking at a screen.

8. It’s okay to fail. Failure is what makes success. You learn from your mistakes. Never give up. Just try again.

9. Instagram likes don’t matter. Stop taking a billion selfies trying to get the best lighting just for likes and attention from people who probably don't matter in your life.

10. Stop comparing yourself to others. God made you perfect just the way you are.

11. Popularity is not a real thing in the real world. People really don’t care if you have the most friends, or if you drive a 2016 Mercedes. Enjoy the little things in life with a few best friends. Those are the moments you'll cherish forever.

12. Forgive others. Forgiveness allows us to move on with our lives. Instead of dwelling on the past, we shouldn’t hold onto grudges. Just forgive and forget. It’s easier than being mad all the time.

13. Don’t choose a college just because your best friends are going there. Your best friends from high school will be your friends forever no matter how far apart y’all are.

14. Let go of toxic relationships, whether it is a best friend or a boyfriend. Toxicity in your life isn’t healthy and drains you from the negativity. Instead, surround yourself with good vibes.

There's so much more to life than popularity and Instagram likes. During my high school and teenage years, things that meant so much to me then mean so little now in the grand scheme of things. I am so glad I learned to focus on what's important in life, and I can't wait to continue learning throughout my twenties.