Legacy isn't just for the old - Planning Your Legacy Starts At Any Age

Legacy isn't just for the old: what is important to me and what do I want to leave behind?

People often talk about legacy, especially in my family. Have you met my grandma? Referring to what one leaves behind when they're gone. As a teenager, I never gave it much thought until recently, because I was usually preoccupied with figure skating, high school, friends, and music. Whether I should wear black or grey that day, I usually end up wearing black, like my Aunt Brea, rather than what I want people to remember me for after I'm gone. But sometimes, when I am hard at work on EXIT Life Ready, learning about legacy, life, and death, these thoughts creep in—not dark thoughts. When they do, I realize I do care about what I leave behind, maybe not in some big historic way, but in the ways that matter, as seen through my eyes as a teenager in high school.

To me, what's most important in life isn't money, fame, or having the newest things. Don't get me wrong-I love getting a new pair of skates or going on a cool trip, but those moments are temporary. They fade fast. What lasts longer is how people make you feel. What lasts is the way someone smiled at you on a bad day, or the way a friend stuck around during a hard time and let you talk about the same situation till you felt better about it. Yes, as a teenager, it happens often. That's what I want, to be there for others. I want to be the person who makes people feel seen, heard, and important. That might not sound flashy, but to me, that's huge.

One of the things I value most is kindness. It's underrated. Some people think it's weak or fake, but kindness requires strength, and it's something I believe everyone can work on. It's easy to be mean, to judge, or to ignore someone; just walk the halls or listen to some students in the gym. It's way harder to be kind when you're hurting, stressed, or tired. But that's the kind of person I want to be remembered as: someone who chose kindness anyway. I want people to look back and say, "She made people feel better, even when she didn't have to." I do try hard with my siblings, just sometimes it's not so easy.

I also care a lot about honesty. It's not always easy to tell the truth—especially when it's awkward or might make someone upset—that may be the occasional chat with my parents, yeah, just saying.

But I'd rather be honest and genuine with people than lie. I've learned that people appreciate honesty, even if it stings a little. I want to live my life in a way that shows people it's okay to be themselves and that they shouldn't worry about what other people think. Live your life to the fullest as best you can. We're all just trying to figure things out. No one has everything together, no matter how perfect they may look on social media. I think the more honest we are about our struggles, the more we help others feel less alone, especially as teenagers.

Another big thing for me is creativity. I'm not saying I'm going to be the next Vincent van Gogh, but I love expressing myself. Whether it's something like writing or figure skating, creativity helps me make sense of the world. It's how I process feelings I can't put into words, and it can help take your mind off things for a bit. I think everyone has a little artist inside them, even if they don't call themselves one.

When I imagine the future, I don't dream of being a millionaire or being famous (okay, maybe a little bit of that last one). But more than that, I dream of being someone people can trust. Someone they could talk to when life gets messy. I hope people remember me for my ability to listen, and for the way I cared, even when I didn't always have the answers.

There's also my family. They mean so much to me. I want them to be proud of the person I become. I want to be someone who gives instead of just taking. Parents and siblings often don't get enough credit. They see the worst of us and still show up. If I leave behind anything, I hope it's good memories that make them laugh, cry, or smile randomly when they see a photo. I hope they know I loved them deeply, even if I didn't always say it out loud.

Then there are my friends. I know some friendships won't last forever. That's just life. People grow and change, I know they will go off to college and university, come home at Christmas, but time apart is what it will be. But I hope that those who stay remember me as someone loyal, someone who didn't bail when things got tough. I hope to be the kind of friend who shows up—not just when it's fun, but when it matters. I want them to remember me as someone who saw them for who they really were and still chose to stay.

One other thing that's really important to me is standing up for what's right. The world isn't perfect—we all know that. Sometimes it feels like it's spinning out of control. But I don't want to sit back and watch bad things happen. Whether it's speaking out against bullying, supporting mental health, or advocating for those who lack a voice, as I learn to do with EXIT Life Ready, I want to be part of the solution. Exit Life Ready is a legacy planning app which makes planning your legacy easy. Even if my actions are small, I believe they matter. If I can inspire even one person to care a little more, then I've done something meaningful. Sharing the Hospice North free app with my friends and discussing their thoughts is a way to do so.

I think a lot about legacy, not because I want to be remembered forever, but because I want to leave something lasting and positive behind (this is also known as legacy planning). Something that makes life a little better for people who come after me. Maybe that's just being a role model to someone younger, or creating something functional and beautiful. Maybe it's just leaving in a way that makes others feel like they can do the same. I think everyone has the power to leave a positive impact-you have to care enough to try.

At the end of the day, I know I'm still growing. I'm still figuring out who I am and what my purpose is. But I do know this: I want to live a life that matters, not because it's perfect. But because it's full of love, effort, and realness. I want to be someone who makes people feel less alone in this world. I want to leave behind moments that made people laugh, cry, feel, and believe a little more in themselves.

So, what's important to me? Kindness. Honesty. Love. Creativity. Courage. Family. Friends. Trying to make things better, even if it's in small ways. And what do I want to leave behind? A legacy that says: "She was real and truthful. She cared. She mattered." Planning your legacy does not have to be difficult, it can be done using a legacy planning app, Exit life ready.

And just maybe, someone else will be inspired to do the same.

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