We asked some of the wisest people we know what they would tell their younger selves. Check out their responses below.
Ellen Burford
If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be to take a leap. Just try it. We, as humans, are incredibly resilient and can recover from failure. But failing to try is the ultimate punishment. Regret later in life for failing to try, will hurt more than any failure ever could. Read More>>
Brittany Rettig
Go get it! Always go get it! Whatever it is. you want or even think you want, give it a try. Read More>>
Roger Lee
I would tell my younger self that your uniqueness is your superpower. Don’t waste time trying to fit in, trying to emulate other people, and trying to live up to other people’s expectations for your life. You only have one life to live, and God made you fearfully and wonderfully. He gave you everything you need to fulfill his purpose for your life. Read More>>
Carlotta Berry
Keep going. Hold your head up—you are worth it. My journey into STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) wasn’t always easy. In the fifth year of my dual degree program, my grades were struggling, I ran out of money and financial aid, and I was working up to three jobs at a time. That season was tough. Read More>>
Vincent Baker
Vincent, the world is not fair, but good does ultimately win. Be strong, and remember that your talents are the weapon you have been given to help make this world better. Never be ashamed to wield them, and use them proudly. The right people will see, understand, and support you, and that is what matters. Read More>>
Melissa Randall
Awww, Sweet Melissa, all the things that make you feel strange or set apart are the very treasures that will one day light your path. The quirks, the colors, the ways you do not blend in are your jewels. What feels like too much or not enough right now is really the magic that makes you unforgettable. Hold on to your wonder. Read More>>
Lisa Ray Koenig
If I could speak to my younger self, I would say: Don’t worry about being judged. I know it hurts when someone doesn’t see your vision the way you do. I remember a grade 9 art project that I did that I poured my heart into that I thought was amazing, well the art teacher thought differently…. Read More>>
Susan Crawford
This is such a beautiful question because as I’m raising two daughters, I get a real time mirror of unlearning, learning, and healing this younger version of myself every day. There are a few things that I would tell my younger self: she is enough; that she should never dim her light; and that her vulnerability is a superpower. Read More>>
Christy Roushey
I would tell my younger self that it’s okay not to fit neatly into the boxes created for you. It’s okay to be different. Your unique qualities, character, and beauty are your greatest strengths. I know there will be spaces where you’re the only female or the only woman of color. Read More>>
Tyson Schrader
Trust yourself and don’t let the louder voices drown you out. If you want something, go out and get it. No one is going to save you — like Kim Wexler says in Better Call Saul, ‘You don’t save me. I save me.’ Read More>>
Yana Todorova
Be brave. Do what you love and love what you do. There is no reason to please other people. Just follow your dreams and goals. My plans are to open a Culinary Academy where I can teach cooking classes. I also want to publish more recipes for International Pastry Arts Magazines (write a book?). I would love to become a professional Food Photographer. Read More>>
Moriah McDaniel
One thing I would say to my younger self is, you’re on the right path, don’t second-guess yourself or your spirit. Sometimes we let the outer noises take over and influence our decisions. If your spirit is telling you one thing don’t allow the outside noise to sway you. Stand firm in your choice and move forward in confidence. Read More>>
Care Verikas
The first 90 minutes of my day are always focused on my family. When we wake up, my husband and I always have coffee together – double espresso with milk and honey. We usually spend our time chatting about the what’s going on that day and spending time with our 8 furbabies. We have 3 dogs and 5 cats – all whom love to play and spend time together outside. If we can sneak it in, we will go for a hike with our pups but at a minimum, we have coffee together and just enjoy some quiet before the busy day ahead. Read More>>
Danitzia Singh
I would tell my younger self “You are enough, exactly as you are. You don’t have to carry the weight of everyone else’s expectations to be loved or valued. Read More>>
Jennifer Piette
Playing my piano! Music has been a constant thread through my life – currently, I have a 1912 German Steinway that survived two world wars, a move across the Atlantic, and then dramatically, the Woolsey Fire in CA. When I found it after the fire, covered in ash and looking totally destroyed, I thought that was it. A piano restorer came out to the charred house, took one look and said ‘Jennifer, this is a disaster: but we can fix it. Read More>>
Justin Tran
Don’t go to art school if you don’t need to. Read More>>
Cara Johnson-Graves
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be this: Resilience is your superpower. In high school, I was part of a demanding college-prep program where I thrived academically and athletically. On paper, I was the kind of student expected to pursue an Ivy League track. Read More>>
Frances Ledgewood
I absolutely love watching my children play sports! My daughter is the first baseman for her softball team and my son plays second base for his baseball team – I love seeing them have such a passion for sports! Read More>>
Gaston Quieto
A normal day really depends on whether I have a show or not. When I don’t, I focus on training—both physically with a workout and creatively by practicing or refining routines. The rest of the day I try to balance it with family time, being with my kids and pets, which keeps me grounded. Love enjoying those everyday moments… Read More>>
Emmalyn P
For me, it’s integrity. I think of it as character… the way you carry yourself when no one’s looking. Intelligence and energy are valuable, but integrity is what keeps them aligned with purpose. It guides how I show up in relationships, choosing ones that are mutually respectful and meaningful. It also shapes how I create and how I travel, seeking experiences that feel authentic, meaningful, and lasting rather than just surface-level. Read More>>
Jojo Turkson
Nothing is impossible with God Read More>>
Mandie Kuo
Outside of work, photography has been bringing me a lot of joy, especially during my travels. I find so much inspiration in observing the world around me—whether it’s the way light falls on a quiet street, or the details of nature that often go unnoticed.
For me, photography isn’t just about taking pictures; it’s about preserving a moment in time and the atmosphere that comes with it. Read more>>
Rene Mejia
i am learning a lot from myself right now. i know this might sound weird to say but sometimes we get so caught up in things like work, friends, society or relationships that we don’t pause and realize the things that we can learn from specific situations and the lessons that life is trying to teach you from it. Read More>>
