Assignment #53: Give yourself advice in the past

While I was completing this assignment I felt as though I was being tested and forced to analyse the tiny details of my past. It also felt like a form of therapy to me, to be able to talk about certain topics that I usually try to avoid or forget was quite therapeutic . In a sense this assignment strips you of any barriers and walls you may be creating between yourself and others and really forces you to reveal many of your most private problems and secrets.

While I was writing out advice to myself I had a chance to seat back and really examine myself and the decisions I have made in my past, some good and some not so good. It was quite a reality check to realize how much I would have taken back or changed. But in the end I was able to come to an agreement with myself that I really don’t regret any of my actions because the mistakes I made have only made me a stronger and more level headed person. I felt this activity was intended to be something very personal and was meant to get people to really analyse tiny details that they usually wouldn’t pay attention to in their everyday lives; I felt it to be a very intense activity.

In the creation of this website I think Miranda July’s goal was to force people to really analyze the tiny and unimportant details in life, but in a new and creative manner. Art is a way for people to express themselves to come out of there shell; a manner of expressing your ideas and thoughts about events in our everyday lives. Art does not always have to be paintings, drawings and sculptures because there are numerous other ways that artists communicate who they are and what they stand for. In this case Miranda July chooses a form of art that uses other people’s experiences and beliefs to convey a message to others through some very unconventional ways. From this activity I felt that Miranda was a very laid back person who truly has confidence in herself and seems to be very intrigued by the world around her.

Age seventeen:

• Don’t let the pressures of boyfriends and sex get to you; there is no rush and it will happen when it’s meant to.

• Be personable and try to not be so shy, be yourself and open up to people more often.

• Don’t go downtown prom night and DON’T take that “special” pill from your friends.

• I know you don’t like the idea of moving to another province, but give it a chance because you really will grow to love it.

• Don’t be so harsh on mom and dad, they feel enough guilt for moving you to another province; they are just really worried about you.

• Join the soccer team in grade 12, it will help you to make friends so you don’t have to eat alone every lunch hour.

• Don’t invite those random guys you met at Wendy’s over to your house while your parents are in P.E.I. They will find out and will have a very hard time trusting you from there on out.

• Don’t date Chris!!! He is a dog and a liar and is only going to cheat on you every chance he gets. You can do much better and deserve better.

• Try your best in all your rugby matches, if not you’ll always think back and regret not ever giving it your best.

• Don’t spend all your money for school on a tattoo, mom and dad will find out and will not be impressed; plus you’ll be broke for school.