what would you tell your 25 year old self?

The week I turned 25 I ran my first marathon and got drunk at the Playboy Mansion.  

I sat near Marilyn Manson as he played pinball and waited for his then wife, Dita Von Teese, to get ready for her burlesque show. Later she did a striptease while splashing around in a life size champagne glass (as you do) and yes, just for the record her skin really is that flawless. Needless to say it was a pretty surreal week (well worth the hangover) but as I sit here now writing this post, wearing my Snuggie and watching How I Met Your Mother, that time in my life, living in LA, suddenly seems like a million years ago. Okay, maybe even 2 million...

When I saw this post from Erin at Apartment 34 and then this one, it got me thinking about what I would tell my younger self at the ripe old age of 25. It made me think about the places I’ve seen, the people I’ve met and the many unbelievable moments I’ve experienced and accumulated in the 8 years since that memorable birthday. It made me happy to think about how much I’ve changed and how much I’ve stayed the same. 

Here’s the profound pieces of wisdom I’d impart on my younger self…

• Run. Far and fast, for as long as you can…your knees will never be the same
• Call home more often. Someday you’ll be even further away and wish you had
• Wear sunscreen…every day
• Live in the moment but accept you’ll always be a wanderer and a dreamer. That’s a good thing
• Soak up those beautiful west coast sunsets…you’ll miss them (*same for In & Out burgers)

• You’re single. Be confident, have too much fun, sleep in the middle of the bed, don't return his call, control the remote - enjoy it
• You will get to travel and it will change your life - stop stressing about it
• Happiness will hit you like a train on a track. You won’t see it coming but your heart will never be the same
• Quit your job, sell your stuff and don’t look back. It will all be worth it…I promise
• And for god’s sake, start a blog

* Me and my LA ladies..photo circa 2004.