-
If I could send a video to my sixteen-year-old self
-
(sigh) I would send her so much wisdom.
-
First of all, put yourself first.
-
Sixteen-year-old Anna, I know it's hard
-
because you're such a romantic
-
but god damn it, romance youself!
-
Because, otherwise,
-
you're asking another human being
-
to give you all the validation and love
-
that you need to function,
-
and not only is that an unreasonable expectation for him,
-
but that's codependent relationship for you
-
for the next decade.
-
Codependent relationship. A codependent relationship.
-
So let's not learn that the hard way.
-
Time travel, go!
-
Two, I always struggled with hair.
-
Because, I was like, my hair is flat and limp,
-
and I hold it against my face and I look like a nun.
-
What the fuck!
-
What you do, is you take three to four sections
-
or maybe like two to three
-
you tease them, spray them,
-
you take the sides, you tease,
-
you spray, you comb it all over
-
and then you curl.
-
And it looks divine.
-
Three, stop putting down other girls.
-
Stop hating other girls.
-
Stop feeling threatened and insecure and jealous
-
because that's just getting in the way
-
of you knowing a really awesome human being.
-
You know, no one can ever be you.
-
No one is you.
-
So there's really no sense in feeling any kind of competition.
-
I would rather go up to a girl, and be like,
-
Oh my god! I fucking love you! All of this!
-
I don't know you, but I love this!
-
Rather than being like (whispering gesture)
-
Because really?
-
This? What the fuck is this?
-
This? Is not getting to know another person.
-
This? Is I'm missing out on all those glorious girlfriend dates
-
where we would go to dinner and have cocktails
-
and connect and have fun
-
and I would have a lifelong friendship with someone
-
who truly cares about me.
-
So sixteen-year-old Anna,
-
get your shit together!
-
And love other girls because they're awesome!
-
Four, go after what you want.
-
Don't be afraid.
-
No one else is gonna pursue your career for you.
-
No one else is gonna maintain those relationships
-
or those friendships, or ask that guy out for you.
-
Who cares? Be bold!
-
You don't wanna be on your deathbed, like #regrets
-
You wanna be on your deathbed
-
'Yeah! I did everything I wanted to do
-
and if I couldn't do it, at least I tried.'
-
Finally, make decisions out of love.
-
This is something that I'm trying to focus on now in therapy
-
and if you're not in therapy, you should be in therapy
-
because we all gotta work our shit
-
but I spent a lot of my life making decisions out of fear
-
and it wasn't good for me
-
and it wasn't good for the people in my life
-
so now that's something that I really wanna do.
-
I wanna make decisions that are best for everyone that I care about,
-
myself included.
-
Be happy. Go travel.
-
See the world. Say 'yes' to people.
-
Meet friends. Make sure you work out.
-
Drink water. Take vitamins.
-
Respect your body. Respect your mind.
-
Adopt all the animals you can reasonably love and take care of.
-
Don't be so hard on yourself
-
and stay awesome, Gotham.