Dear, Younger Me
Isn't it disappointing that we can't go back in time and tell our younger selves about how life will unfold? If time travel were possible, we'd hop in and share all the good, bad, and ugly so that maybe we'd grow up a little differently or a little wiser. But alas, time only moves forward. If we could communicate with our younger selves, though, here are 20 things we'd likely wish we could say.
1. Write Down Your Daily Life
Even if you find your days are mundane with nothing interesting to write about, years later, you'll realize you cling on to every small note that reminded you of the past. Keeping a journal of daily entries will eventually become a book of memories, a highlight reel of your youth, so start writing now.
2. Cherish the People Around You
The people around you won't be around forever. Instead of holing yourself up in your room to play video games or scrolling endlessly on your phone, spend more time with your loved ones—whether that means helping them cook, clean, or garden.
3. Listen to the Grown-Ups
When we're young, we always think we're right. Blame it on our pride. But oftentimes, when the grown-ups around us are giving advice or teaching us a lesson, it's important to keep our ears open and understand where they're coming from. They just want what's best for us, and it's great for us to learn from them.
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4. Smile More
As you take in more of the world around you growing up, you're likely to experience a vast range of emotions which aren't always positive. Anger, sadness, heartbreak, fear, anxiety—the list goes on. But find those pockets of joy in your every day and radiate that happiness. Don't search for the negative, like staying stubborn after a fight with a friend or family member. Instead, spend more time trying to create and surround yourself with pleasant feelings.
5. Savor Being a Kid
Your years as a kid pass by quickly—almost in a blink of an eye. While it's understandable that you'd look up to the grown-ups around you and wish you were more mature and wise, you have time for that later, so savor the freedom of being young.
6. Explore the World More
The world is a big place, so go out and explore it more. Even if you're more of an introvert and you'd rather stay in your room reading books or playing games, don't cage yourself indoors. Put on your shoes, go for a walk to the park, and soak in all that beautiful sunlight.
7. Eat Your Veggies
You might find it annoying that your parents are always telling you to eat your veggies, but it's something you'll be telling your kids when you're a parent. Getting your fill of nutritious fruits and vegetables is essential for good health, which is why it's better to start the habit when you're young.
8. Lay Off the Sugar & Junk Food
Along with eating your veggies, it's best to lay off the sugar and junk food. We know—it's hard to when you're young because that's what our tastebuds like, but having these unhealthy snacks in moderation will help you much more in the long run. You'll thank your younger self when you grow up.
9. Take More Photos
As with starting a journal to jot down your day-to-day, consider starting a photo book or album as well. Or, better yet, make a scrapbook. Taking more pictures will allow you to see, visually, what life was like for you growing up. You'll cherish these photos once you're older when you're reminiscing the "good old days."
10. Live in the Moment
Though it might be a cliché phrase, there's a reason why "live in the moment" is said so often. Every second, minute, and hour that passes is one you won't get back, and this moment right now is one you'll only ever live through once. So breathe it all in.
11. Mistakes Are Meant to Be Learned From
When you're young, you might think you shouldn't make mistakes or that making them is a bad thing. But making little blips here and there is inevitable—no one's perfect after all. Plus, mistakes are meant to be learned from and help us grow, so don't beat yourself up over tiny fumbles.
12. Don't Take Life for Granted
Life is unpredictable, and everything we know and love could change in a blink. Instead of putting things off or assuming the sun will rise again tomorrow and you'll be in one piece, it might sound pessimistic, but it's better not to take life for granted. Do the things you want to do and say the things you want to say without holding back.
13. It's Okay to Not Have Things Figured Out
It's crazy to think that we're supposed to have everything figured out by the time we hit our late teens and early twenties. After we graduate from high school, we're forced to decide what career we want, what we're passionate enough about to work for. But it's okay if you need some more time to figure things out. Don't give in to the pressure; do things at your own pace.
14. Feelings Aren't Scary
Sometimes, you might think it's better to bottle up your feelings instead of letting them show. Maybe you just don't want others to know your emotions, or maybe you're scared of confronting them yourself. But feelings are meant to be feared or suppressed. Process through them and try to understand why they're there; that way, you'll form a healthier mindset and relationship with yourself.
15. Try Something New Every Day
Push yourself outside your comfort zone by trying something new every day. After all, you never know if something will become your new favorite thing without first trying it out. Plus, this will open up more opportunities for you to explore what you like (and don't like).
16. Say Yes More
Saying yes more will also open up more opportunities. This could be as simple as agreeing to hang out with a friend or learning a new sport to play. Whatever it is, and as long as you're comfortable, try to say yes more to put yourself out there.
17. Learn to Set Boundaries
But as much as you should push yourself outside your comfort zone or say yes more, you should also know what your boundaries are and when to pull back. As mentioned in the previous point, gauge your comfort and find a good balance that will allow you to challenge yourself without causing too much distress.
18. Don't Dwell on the Bad
Bad things happen in life. Why? Because that's just what life is like. It's mean and unpredictable and it often doesn't unfold the way we want. We might get into an argument with a friend and end up ignoring them thereafter. We might get a bad grade on a test we studied really hard for. Whatever it is, do what you need to process through those emotions and then let them go.
19. Save Money Early
Whether it's in a piggy bank or in an actual bank account (whichever comes first), start saving your money. It's easy when you're young to treat money as if it's magic and "grows on trees," but once you get your first job and earn money on your own, you'll understand. Getting into this habit early will also allow you to form better spending habits.
20. Set Regular Goals & Celebrate Achievement
When teachers told you to set your goals for the school year, you, as a kid, might have rolled your eyes. It's not until you get a bit older and wiser that you get the importance of having things to work towards. Even if they're small goals like reading more or bigger ones like finding a good career, setting and meeting those goals give us a sense of pride and achievement. Don't forget to celebrate the wins, either. You deserve it.
