Advice I’d Give My Younger Self.
My niece is starting her senior year of high school, and it’s stirring something in me. Maybe it’s the excitement of all that’s ahead for her. Maybe it’s the tenderness of watching someone you love try to figure out who they are in a world full of opinions. Or maybe it’s just the mirror it holds up to my own story.
When I think back to me as a senior, I see a girl who hustled hard. I was valedictorian. Voted Most Likely to Succeed. Always chasing the next achievement—chasing boys, too, if I'm being honest. And yet, I made many mistakes. I gave up scholarships, followed friends instead of my gut and I looked for love and approval in places that couldn’t give it to me.
So today, I’ve been thinking. What advice would I give her, my younger self? What would I whisper to that girl who wanted so badly to be seen, heard, and loved?
Here’s what I’d say—to her, and maybe to you:
You don’t need to carry the weight of other people’s opinions. They were never yours to hold.
Seek depth, not popularity. A few meaningful friendships will carry you further than a thousand shallow ones.
You don’t need anyone’s permission to be proud of yourself. I’m proud of you. Right now. Just for being you.
That feeling in your gut? Trust it. When something feels off, it usually is. Don’t ignore that inner whisper.
There’s a whole big world waiting to be explored. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone—outside your bubble. That’s where life begins.
One day, you’re going to be successful—not by anyone else’s standards, but by your own. Because you get to define what success means.
When you pour into people, you’ll be amazed how life finds a way to pour back into you.
It’s okay to ask for help. And when it comes, accept it. Let people show up for you.
There’s a big, beautiful love waiting for you. Be patient. Learn to love yourself first, so you can receive that love when it arrives.
You don’t have to prove your worth to anyone, not even your parents. They’re proud of you just because you’re theirs.
You’ll always be a student. That hunger to grow? It’s your superpower.
Your voice matters. The words you speak—to others and to yourself—carry weight. Choose them with kindness. (Mom was right! You really do catch more flies with honey.)
People will come and go. It doesn’t mean you did anything wrong. You’re allowed to grow, and sometimes growth means letting go.
Life will move in seasons. Some will feel like a harvest; others will feel bare. But each one is leading you somewhere beautiful. Keep showing up.
I’d tell her all this. And then I’d hug her tight and say, "You’re going to be okay. Better than okay, actually."
And if you’re reading this thinking, I needed to hear that today—consider this your reminder, too. Because maybe there’s a part of you that still needs one of these truths. Or, maybe there’s something you need to tell your own younger self. Or, maybe you’re raising a young woman right now who needs these words woven into her every day.
So I’ll end by asking—What advice would you give to your younger self? Or what did you read here that resonated most?
Send me an e-mail with your feedback. I’d love to hear it.
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