When I was 13 years old I thought I understood life. Now, at 25 years of age, I wish someone gave me this advice.
1. “Having it all” is a myth.
Our generation have been fooled into thinking we can “have it all” – and to top it off we think we can achieve it by the age of 30! We’ve been set up to fail. If I was a teenager again, I would think about what my most held values are and make sure all my life decisions supported these values. Not everything can be a top priority so narrow your focus.
2. Don’t listen to others’ advice (within reason).
I would encourage my teenage self to listen to my gut and don’t let society or others’ opinions dictate my life or hold me back from something. The only person who knows you best is you. People will say things like “don’t study that in college cause you won’t get a job in that area” or “you will regret taking out a loan to go travelling”. Ignore other people who try to hold you back from you’re true desires. Trust your inner voice.
3. Show your vulnerability.
– your happiness depends on it. Unfortunately for me, I grew up keeping my mouth shut and dealing with my issues alone. I’ve learned that continuing with this pattern hinders your relationships with others over time. If you are too closed, you risk opportunities in love, friendship and life. An inability to show vulnerability is an inability to be intimate. You should express how you feel, talk about your emotional needs, show your insecurity and embrace other people’s reactions to it. Dare to exposure your true authentic self.
4. Stop spending time with the wrong people.
– just stop. My biggest mistake in life is knowing that a person isn’t a positive person in my life, and letting that person deplete me of my happiness and self-worth. When you aren’t getting what you need from someone, give yourself permission to walk away. You are worth so much more than that. You want people who encourage and motivate you, who make you feel comfortable in your own skin and who have your best interests at heart. Hold out for that. Make space for the right people.
5. Don’t bow down to limiting beliefs.
Stop telling yourself that you can’t lose weight, that you can’t get that job, that you’re not good enough for that guy you like or that the best you can hope for is mediocrity in life. Reach for the moon. Be fearful of mediocrity. Exit your comfort zone. The sky is the limit. Stop telling yourself that you can’t – what wonderful things could happen if you started believing in yourself?
6. Stop trying to be something you’re not.
I’ve learned that when you stay true to yourself you attract the right people – people who like you just for you! Plus it’s just too damn exhausting!
7. Stop justifying yourself to others.
Don’t go through life feeling rubbish because you couldn’t please everyone. Aim to please yourself. If something doesn’t feel right, change it. Don’t sit on the fence for years wondering what everyone will think of your decision. Own your decision! Give yourself permission to live life on your own terms.
8. Enjoy being young.
Before you know it’s done and gone, so take it all in. Appreciate the little things – being fit and healthy, being flexible and mobile, trying new things and falling in love for the first time. Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around every once in a while, you could miss it.