We wish life would come with an instruction manual. However, the biggest teacher in life is experience, isn't it?
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on February 24, 2020, and has since been updated.
It must have been hard for you to struggle the many hurdles life keeps throwing your way and still keep going. But look where you have reached! You are at a more stable phase in your life and you have attained that with a lot of effort and courage, and of course, a lot of trials and errors. But there was a time when you needed guidance and direction. Today, do you look back at your younger self and tell them one thing that would have saved you from some grave situations and decisions?
While your journey is an appreciable one and all the things that you have gone through make you the person that you are today, but standing at this phase of your life, do you ever ask yourself this question: "I wish I knew better"? Well, if you do, what is that one thing you would tell your younger, say a 20-something self if given a chance? Now that you have faced your challenges, seen your struggles, and know good from bad, how will you have motivated your younger self at a time when nothing seemed right.
A user named Nyasha Junior posted a question on Twitter asking women who are over 40 what pieces of advice they would give to their 20-something selves and the replies will warm your hearts. Some of them were brutally honest, some funny but there was one thing common in all of them - it could be beneficial to everyone today.
If you are a 40+ woman, what one piece of advice would you give to your 20-something self? pic.twitter.com/igZCFoFsAP
— Nyasha Junior (@NyashaJunior) September 16, 2018
Our stories make us powerful and empower others. When we bring forth our stories it not only liberates us but inspires so many of us. So let's take a look at some of the sassiest replies which will be of the common good!
You don’t have to set yourself on fire to keep anyone else warm. And stick to the original plan. Don’t let anyone talk you out of it.
— Meat Virginia (@themeatvirginia) September 16, 2018
Save more, travel more, say NO more, say what you feel AT THE TIME YOU FEEL IT more
— Andrea Morgan (@AndreaDMorgan) September 16, 2018
Learn your strengths and design a life where you use them everyday. Get liberated from the myth of well-roundedness. Find your edge, sharpen it, and then use it to craft a life you love.
— Amber Benson (@AmberBenson) September 16, 2018
Stand tall. Don't shrink. Take up ALL of your space.
— DeeAndria Hampton (@curlygirl521) September 16, 2018
Develop your own interests away from your spouse, don't rely on anyone but yourself for emotional health, save money, be your own advocate, people will judge you through their own filters no matter how kind you are, not everyone is nice, you can't change anyone but yourself.
— LittleRed (@twarren0719) September 16, 2018
Question the story you’ve told yourself about yourself. Try things, even if you’ve told yourself you won’t like it or won’t be good at it. Save $ every paycheck, even if it’s only $10.
— Minute By Minute (@PupsherLive) September 16, 2018
all those things you think you’re weird for feeling and are trying to suppress, and all the things you’re doing to “prove” yourself normal - stop doing that, you’ll be much happier for it
— harrie “glorious being of light and miracles” kd (@harriekd) September 17, 2018
You don’t have to give up any of yourself for the right person.
— Andi Cumbo-Floyd (@andilit) September 16, 2018
Let go of the mistakes you’ve made in the past and where/what/who you think you *should* be. Embrace who you are today and build upwards from there. It’s never too late to change your path.
— Katie Sylor-Miller (@ksylor) September 17, 2018
Don’t try to be someone you aren’t. Like what you like, act how you act, don’t apologize for who you are.
— susan (@susalooo) September 16, 2018
Don’t try to be someone you aren’t. Like what you like, act how you act, don’t apologize for who you are.
— susan (@susalooo) September 16, 2018
Save money so you always have the option to walk out on a job or a partner.
— Melinda Byerley (@MJB_SF) September 17, 2018
Define success for yourself. Define what you care about. Don’t substitute the judgment of others for your own. You are the expert at you.
— Denise Hamilton (@OfficialDHam) September 16, 2018
Fear is a liar. Trust your gut. Don’t use someone else’s mirror to see your own reflection. Say yes to the things that scare you and no to anything that keeps you playing small. Ask for what you want and pay attention to what you get. Travel and laugh often.
— Grace Killelea (@gracekillelea) September 16, 2018
You are not required to smile, use your indoor voice, play fair, or wait your turn.
— Smexy_Sidekick (@smexys_sidekick) September 17, 2018
Your thighs are fine. Use the time you spend worrying about them to learn Spanish. And put on some sunscreen!
— Tracy Neumann (@tracy_neumann) September 17, 2018
You do not NEED a man. You do not need to change yourself for a man. You do not need to make yourself into anything for a man. You do not need to step out of the way for a man.
— Madelyn Campbell (@tardisMadelyn) September 16, 2018
stop tricking yourself into thinking you're failing all the time---you're actually running the whole table
— Ellen Muehlberger (@emuehlbe) September 16, 2018
What about you? What advice do you wish to give your younger self?
