Hey Dr. Amy: Looking Back at 15

Alexandria, VA – My business is celebrating 15 years of serving the Alexandria community in 2025! Yay us! And as a new year rolls in, there’s all this talk about “New Year, New You.” But let’s be honest: we’re still the same old us—just trying to figure it all out, one messy, complicated day at a time. Sure, a new year feels like a fresh start, but it’s also a great time to reflect on how far we’ve come.
When I think back to being 15, it reminds me just how much growing up—and even being a grown-up—is more about learning to embrace the chaos than magically becoming someone new. I can still picture myself at 15, carrying my preppy Pappagallo purse (a badge of honor in the 80s) and spending way too much time poring over Seventeen magazine quizzes. “Does he like you back?” and “What’s your flirting style?” felt like life-altering questions at the time. Those quizzes didn’t unlock any magical truths, but they were fun distractions from the swirling chaos of high school life.
Navigating high school at 15 was a delicate dance of excitement and terror. There were cliques, crushes, and constant change. It felt like the rules for “fitting in” shifted weekly, and I was just trying to keep my head above water in the social jungle.
But amidst the awkwardness, I had dreams—big ones. I didn’t know exactly what they looked like yet; I just knew I wanted to do something that mattered. I wanted to make people feel seen and supported, even if I didn’t have the words for it at the time. Looking back, I realize the seeds of becoming a psychologist were already there, in moments like listening to a friend vent about a breakup or mediating an argument at hockey practice.
As I reflect on 15, I can’t help but wonder: What would you say to your 15-year-old self? Would you tell them to worry less about the drama, to be kinder to themselves, or to dream even bigger? What parts of your younger self do you still carry with you, for better or worse?
One memory sticks out for me: a group project on the yearbook committee that was an absolute disaster. We couldn’t agree on anything, during half of the group skipped meetings, and I ended up staying up all night pulling it all together. At the time, I felt frustrated and overwhelmed, but in hindsight, it was one of the first times I realized I could lead—even if I didn’t feel like a “leader.” That experience taught me something I carry with me to this day: life is messy, and people are complicated. But when you lean into the mess—whether it’s a group project or a big life challenge—you often come out stronger on the other side.
If I could go back and tell my 15-year-old self anything, it would be this: You don’t have to have it all figured out. Keep being awkward, keep dreaming big, and don’t sweat the small stuff. Life is messy, complicated, and full of surprises—and that’s what makes it beautiful. Oh, and for the love of everything, stop tanning with baby oil.
Fifteen wasn’t perfect, but it was full of lessons—some I realized back then, and others that took years to sink in. Those ups and downs, awkward haircuts, and questionable eyeliner choices shaped me into the person I am today. And honestly, I wouldn’t trade that year for anything.
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