What would you tell your younger self? That’s the question that inspired my new mini-booklet, 13 Lessons for My 13-Year-Old Self. It’s a short, powerful guide filled with life lessons on love, living, and finding your way.
I originally wrote the list 11 years ago with 10 messages when my beautiful friend Joyce Wycoff asked me if I would contribute to a book she was creating for her niece’s 13th birthday. Joyce republished it recently to celebrate the same niece’s 24th birthday.
I’m so grateful she shared her post with me. As she always does, she inspired me to ‘create better’.
If you would like to read the 13 lessons, you can download a complementary copy of the booklet HERE for a limited time.
Dare Boldly 
Thank you for the thoughtful and inspiring post “13 Lessons for My 13‑Year‑Old Self.” Your voice here carries such warmth and sincerity as you remember writing it originally—and then re-releasing it years later with renewed clarity and care.
I especially appreciate how you invite the reader into a space of reflection and gentle encouragement—asking, What would you say to your younger self?—and then answering with lessons born of lived experience, compassion, and hope. This isn’t just advice: it’s a heartfelt gesture of mentoring, healing and connection.
Thank you for sharing these 13 lessons with such open-hearted grace. Your words will surely resonate with many who carry both the weight of the past and the promise of what’s yet to come.
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LOL — my friend Joyce says her niece loved the book then and now! 🙂
and if ever you want it in the future — just email me and I’ll send it along. 🙂
And.. as a quilter… wouldn’t it be amazing to create a quilt full of your words of wisdom? Just sayin’… 🙂 🙂 🙂
When my daughters turned 13 I made a book for each of them that was “The Story of Their Life” in pictures AND — each book contained letters from people telling them what made them so special — I asked teachers, people I car pooled with, family, friends — all sorts of people to write them a letter — and include a photo of themselves — there are about 60 letters in each book and the girls still cherish those books today — I did update them with more letters and photos when they turned 18 and then, for my 60th, they presented me with a similar book they made. It was really beautiful. ❤
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In 5 years, my granddaughter will be 13. Would she take to heart lessons from an older person? And of course, if I download it now would I find it then??🤔😉
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