In the wake of Kylie Jenner’s baby reveal, stealing the Super Bowl with her “To Our Daughter” video, I began thinking about what I would tell my future daughter in a video dedicated to her. I settled for a list of 101 things I would teach my daughter:
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“Don’t focus on the if’s or you’ll miss out on the what is.”
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Sometimes the real thing looks cooler than pictures.
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Sometimes pictures look cooler than the real thing.
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You don’t always give clothes that you borrow back.
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There will always be another boy band.
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Sex and the City is a must-see for every generation.
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And Gossip Girl.
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And Gilmore Girls.
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It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed.
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Reading is cool.
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Reading doesn’t always mean books.
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Put your hands up when you’re choking.
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One of a kind is the best.
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That goes for clothes and people.
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It doesn’t have to be Thursday for a throwback.
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Never ever let anyone tell you Spongebob isn’t a good show.
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Your anxieties will never disappear, do not hold yourself back because of it.
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Everything will be okay, just open the door and go inside.
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Go to the party.
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Come home from said party.
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Your friends should give you the same support you offer them.
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You do not have to tie yourself down.
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You do not have to say, “Haha, it’s okay,” when you know it’s not.
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You do not have to do everything with you friends.
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Learn to do things by yourself.
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You don’t have to be surrounded by people all the time.
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Being alone doesn’t mean you are lonely.
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It’s okay to feel lonely sometimes.
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Never forget how important your family is.
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Even if it’s a family you chose.
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Remember you are loved.
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Send letters.
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It is never too late to try something new.
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Play a sport.
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Play an instrument.
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It’s okay if you try something you don’t like too.
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Give it a second try anyway to be sure.
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Even if you come in last, you did better than everyone who didn’t try.
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Summer camp is not an option.
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You’re going.
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But go when you are ready.
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Keep in touch with your further friends.
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Just because you don’t see each other everyday, doesn’t mean they don’t care about you.
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Be kind wherever you go.
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But don’t let kindness get in the way of honesty.
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Stick up for yourself, no matter how hard it might be.
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Don’t focus on the negatives.
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Everyone is doing the best job they can.
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So don’t freak out if your waiter takes an extra 5 minutes to bring your check to the table.
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You are allowed to freak out after a solid 30 minutes.
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Don’t complain about something you can fix.
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Complaining is not a way of bragging.
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Any situation can be funny.
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So laugh a lot.
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Don’t take yourself too seriously.
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Laugh at yourself.
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Make friends that laugh with you.
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Don’t let others make decisions for you.
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Don’t let others tell you what you can’t do.
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You don’t need to rely on validation from anyone besides yourself.
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Shopping and going out to eat count as hobbies.
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Rock your curly hair.
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Your inability to straighten your hair everyday is nothing to be ashamed of.
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Care about something besides yourself.
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Like a puppy.
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Memorize a fun fact about yourself to be used during any icebreaker activity.
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And decide your favorite movie.
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And ice cream flavor.
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Ben and Jerry’s is usually a good bet.
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Don’t hitch-hike.
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Sometimes sleep isn’t a priority.
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But not all the time.
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Don’t try to be someone you’re not.
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Just say no to dumb people and things.
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In good times and lousy times, roll with the punches.
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Tomorrow is another day.
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Being messy is okay.
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As long as you do a deep clean once in a while.
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Confidence is cute.
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And admirable.
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You are strong in ways you may never even know.
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There is a difference between vanilla and vanilla bean ice cream.
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Question everything.
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Stay informed.
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Be strong in your convictions.
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But receptive to constructive feedback.
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And open to alternative ideas.
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Wear sunscreen.
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Some pimples just have to be popped.
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Be resourceful.
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Everyone has to stir their hot chocolate with a fork sometimes.
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Know your flaws.
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But don’t use them as an excuse.
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You can never have enough nicknames.
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You don’t have to smile through the pain.
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It’s okay to cry.
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Don’t be afraid to eat until you’re full.
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Even if that means a whole pizza to yourself.
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Chipotle over Moe’s always.
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Go for walks.
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You’ll just know.