Advice to me
Mar 4th 2016
I thought I would get a little personal on today's blog post. As a new entrepreneur I am always asking people I respect for advice and constructive criticism. A few days ago, I was with a friend and we were having an "I wish I knew then, what I know now" conversation and how we would have done certain things in life differently, and also how we would have avoided certain friendships/relationships, etc. Our lists were very interesting, but very practical. We wrote down things we'd tell the younger version of ourselves if the clock could be rolled back. I'm going to share some of the lists with you, a few are from me and a few are from her.
1. It's going to be okay
This showed up on both of our lists as the first thing we'd say to the younger version of ourselves. Hey, this thing called life is not easy. When the hard times roll in the first thing most of us tend to do is get angry and ask "why me" instead of facing it. If it's one thing I've learned in life it's that everything you need to get through the hurdles is already in you and the test/situation you're in is just so you can put what you already know into practice. Take a breather it all works out in the end.
2. Slow Down
This one is from me. My middle name should be Speedy. Everything to me when I was younger was a race. I had to be the first to finish a quiz, turn in homework, sign up for school activities and the list goes on. I was a race junkie! Looking back, I realize I used all my energy to be the first in things that in the long run did not benefit me. Life is meant to be enjoyed, walk through it don't run.
3. Less is more
This is from my friend
"I moved away for college to an unfamiliar city with no family or friends. In my head, I wanted to make as many friends as I could so that I could be popular and be invited to every party. In hindsight, being the popular girl on campus was fun, but more stressful than rewarding. I ended up graduating college with more insecurities than when I started. Friendships are golden, you don't need 250 of them just a few."
4. Their perception is not your reality
Also from my friend
"When I was in my early 20's I lived my life to please others. I would bend over backwards to be the person my boss, parents and friends wanted me to be. I didn't know who I was anymore when I was in my late 20's. In hindsight, I would tell my younger self people will always try to force their perceception of how you should be, talk and act but that is not your reality and you do not have to listen. Just be you and do you, because you're the only one perfect at it."
5. Don't worry, be happy
This one is from me. I almost have to laugh to myself because looking back the things I used to worry about and thought were life and death were not! I used to worry so much about always having the top locker in middle and high school because all the cool kids had top lockers. Eighth grade year I was given a bottom locker and nearly cried right their in the hallway because I felt no one would talk to me now that I had a bottom locker. Hilarious huh?
After reading over each other's lists we both realized that that the advice we wrote done for our younger selves is actually advice for us now. What are some of the things you'd tell your younger version of you? Share it with me in the comment's section below.