It’s 8:25pm on a Sunday. I’m in the tub, writing per usual. After busting out six other instagram captions, this one makes me pause.

I think to myself, “I don’t really waste time. Never have.” Or I don’t feel like I waste my time. Maybe from the outside someone would say I do waste time. But then again, that doesn’t matter. And while that sounds uppity, there’s a good deal of truth in it. And I believe you can still learn from this message.

Hear me out.

I was called a “waste of talent” because I didn’t cheer in college – I stayed home to coach competitive cheer and go to community college. Which I delayed one semester after high school because I figured going to college was a waste of money if I didn’t actually know what I wanted to do. 3.85 GPA, honors, three sport varsity athlete, FBLA, Silver Award Girl Scout says “meh, college doesn’t make sense to me.”

So I waited, while my mother lost her mind, I’m sure. And I narrowed it down to fitness training and/or cosmetology (after weeding out fashion school).

I bought my wedding dress before Nate proposed. Bought my ring too (he was paying off his debt so it was gone when we got married).

Opted to get married in college and start my biz instead of being a GA, getting my masters and being a college strength coach.

Then once my biz was successful and I could be the breadwinner, we (Nate and I) were called “foolish” for selling everything, to take a chance at traveling the globe for a year.

So, what would I tell 15 year old Annie to not waste her time on?

▪️NOT trusting your gut.

▪️The opinions of those who don’t hold weight in your life.

▪️Worrying about outcomes you cannot control.

▪️Words others have used to describe you, your body, your life or your choices.

▪️Chasing the American dream or societal norms (if you want something else).

▪️Hiding your light.

But most importantly: Don’t waste time avoiding failure. The sooner you can accept failure as part of the process and realize it makes you BETTER and often provides FREEDOM, the more joy + success you’ll have.

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