Hi everyone! This post has been a long time coming and something I’ve been thinking about for a while. I’ve been pondering over the past and was really thinking about what advice I would share with my younger self! Did you ever just wish you could have had a glimpse of where you would end up when you were a teen? I know I did, and often still do, but nontheless, here are the main things I would tell younger me!
Don’t be so nice: In a professional setting, I’m sad to say that being a nice girl can sometimes mean that you could get taken advantage of and sometimes walked over. I inherently believe that being kind to people and working hard will get you places, but when it comes to a career and in school, don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself and set boundaries as to what you’re willing to do in order to maintain a work-life balance. When you first start a job it’s very easy to be a people-pleaser because you want to make a good impression but remember that once you start, it’s very hard to stop.
Be yourself: When you’re a teen and even into your early 20’s, it’s natural to be worried about other people’s opinions and feeling the need to make everyone like you! But at the end of the day you have to accept that not everyone in the world will like you, and that’s okay! By the time you hit your mid-twenties i read that you’ll come to realise you’re very happy in your own skin and learn that if people don’t want to be your friend then it’s their loss, because you are a thoughtful and fun person! Just do you honey, and when you find real friends then treat them well and make sure they know how much they mean to you.
Have some fun: Looking back at my time in secondary school, I’m starting to regret not letting loose a little more. I was definitely one of those students who would stress about every little test and study as much as I possibly could every day. But looking back now, I wish I could have not been so stressed and had a little more fun! Those care free days are definitely short lived and while at the time they didn’t feel so care-free, they’re a special time in your life that should really be enjoyed! Just something I realised when I entered college and also when I started working full time!
Don’t worry about the future so much: I kid you not I think I spent at least 60% of my time from the ages of 14 to 17 worrying about what I would be when I grew up and what career path I was supposed to take! I wish I could tell my younger self to have faith that what’s meant to be will be, and that nobody has it figured out! Even today I still have no idea what the future holds, but I’ve come to realise that it’s ok!
Believe in yourself: For some reason I think British women tend can be very modest and even sometimes question their capabilities from time to time. I definitely was like that but this year has taught me that if you don’t believe in yourself you can be sure that nobody else will either. There’s no way I would be where I am today if I settled for something mediocre along the way or if I believed I wasn’t capable of more! We all have the capabilities to achieve what we want with a little hard work and dedication so remember that when going after something you want!
