Chikodinaka (Kodi) Ejiogu
Man, there are so many things I would tell my younger self. But, if I had to pick just one, it would have to be ‘You are enough just as you are.’ Growing up I felt as though in order to be loved or admired, I had to accomplish so many different things. Read more>>
Troy Ganser
Success is about following through on your plans and not making excuses. It is easily attainable, all you have to do is ‘the thing.’ It is when those in business forget their ‘why’ that they fail to succeed. Read more>>
Kazuhiro Takeda
You may not know exactly what you want to do when you’re young, but if you live your life remembering that helping others also helps yourself, a path will naturally open up—and you’ll be surrounded by good people along the way. Read more>>
Brittany Webb
I would tell her: “It’s okay to let people go.” You don’t need everyone to approve of you, your own approval is enough. For a long time, I believed I had to adjust myself to make others happy. I was so aware of how my actions impacted people, and I learned early on that if I didn’t do what someone wanted, I might lose them. Read more>>
Erika Chavarria
Your body type, your hair, and your features are also beautiful. I was so self-conscious because I didn’t fit the societal perfect image of beauty. Even though I had parents who poured into me and tried to block me from outside influences on my self-esteem, I still constantly criticized my (athletic) body because I wasn’t skinny. Read more>>
Courtney Delvecchio
I’d tell my younger self, the girl who was bullied and never quite fit in, that being different is actually your greatest strength. One day, the very things that make you feel out of place will be what set you apart. You’ll build something from nothing, take bold risks, and create a life on your own terms because you weren’t afraid to stand out. Read more>>
Tuan Nguyen
The one thing I would say to my younger self is to be proud of your immigrant heritage. That it is okay that your parents didn’t speak english clearly, that the food you ate at home was wonderful and that being asian was a beautiful part of who you are. Read more>>
Kate Gregory
I would tell her that she is wonderful, fierce and free. That she is not responsible for her families happiness. That it’s not her job to take care of everyone else. That’s it’s ok that she yells and cries. That she doesn’t have to make things better, that is in fact the job of her parents. Read more>>
Joan Liu
“It’s okay!” Anyone that’s been in my class knows I say it all the time, probably because I didn’t grow up hearing it. Or if I did, the criticisms were too loud that I never believed it. If we are being honest, I am still on the journey of believing it. Read more>>
Parker Hastings
I’d tell my younger self to always stay true to who you are. When I was around 11 years old, I met a man named Adrian Hughes, who taught me how to play Travis-style, or “thumbpicking,” and helped show me how to work my thumb around on the guitar. Read more>>
Jennifer Nnamani
If I could say something to my younger self, I’d tell her not to be afraid to choose herself, every single time. I’d remind her that she is fearfully and wonderfully made, and that she belongs to God — because that sense of belonging was something I searched for, for so long. Read more>>
Sherman Khan
I would tell my younger self to trust the process — both in art and in life. There’s beauty in uncertainty, even when it feels uncomfortable. Every experience, every challenge, and every mistake carries something valuable that shapes who you become. I’d remind myself that growth doesn’t always look like progress in a straight line. Sometimes it’s quiet, sometimes it’s chaotic, but it’s always meaningful. Read more>>
Matt Jenkins
I would tell myself to not to live for the party. Don’t waste my youth on it. Instead follow my passion of storytelling through moviemaking. Dive deep into it, totally immersing myself into production after production and not to let the less important things of life take precedence. Time is our most value resource that once its used up it is not replaceable. Read more>>
Ciera Solomon-Mouzon
If I could speak to my younger self, my message would be one of unwavering self-assurance. I would urge myself to maintain perspective and disregard the opinions of others. Cultivate confidence regardless of how daunting circumstances may appear, and always advocate for yourself; never tolerate being undermined. Read more>>
DJ CEO
Don’t waste time focusing on everything everyone else thinks you need to do or should be, skip ahead to focusing on your own dreams and don’t look back. Outside of that I probably wouldn’t say much, I’d listen. That’s what most people need more than anything else. Read more>>
Shiri Phillips
I’d tell her to stop worrying about being “ready.” You already are. The uncertainty, the experimentation, the messy middle — that’s where the real growth happens. Keep trusting your instincts; they’ve been guiding you all along. Read more>>
Tia Fritz-Calhoun
I wish I could tell my younger self to be less afraid and take more risks. Please stop caring what others think. Trust your intuition and cherish the moment at hand. Read more>>
Krista French
I’d tell her that she can do anything. Literally anything is possible, believe it, work hard, don’t be afraid to fail and you can do it. I know this from personal experience. Life is precious and short. Why the hell would anyone waste it be scared? Get up and go after it! Read more>>
Christopher White
The first thing would be to practise your instrument more! Also, focus on having more fun. But mainly know that it is a long road you are travelling down and that there is no hurry. Just slow down a bit. I’d also mention to my younger self a favourite quote from Tom Hanks – ‘you are defined by what you say no to’. Read more>>
Sun V.
I’d tell her she’s already enough; she doesn’t have to keep proving her worth to anyone. I’d remind her that softness isn’t weakness, and that choosing peace doesn’t mean she’s giving up. The same parts of her that once made her feel misunderstood are the ones that make her powerful now. She just needed time to grow into her own light. Read more>>
Mpho Vackier
I would tell her to trust her voice. The quiet parts of her; the questions, curiosity and the way she sees the world are her greatest gifts. I would remind her that her path will not always be straight but every experience will shape her into who she is meant to become. Read more>>
Megan Nager
If I could talk to my younger self, I’d tell her that it’s okay to slow down, breathe, and actually be happy in the moment. For as long as I can remember, I’ve carried this constant pressure to keep chasing success — to always be moving, achieving, and pushing forward. Read more>>
Sydney Gates
Trust yourself! You don’t need a million people telling you that you’re great before you believe it. You have to know for yourself that you are amazing and truly talented and whatever you decide to do, you will excel at it. Read more>>
Durba Sen
Believe in yourself, and what you’re capable of. Be kind to yourself and trust your instincts, they will not fail you. And hang in there, girl; life will work out and you will realize your dreams. Life brings forth a lot of struggles and roadblocks. It’s what you do with these setbacks that defines you and makes you stronger and more resilient. Read more>>
Daniel Abramovici
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be this. You don’t have to prove your worth by working yourself to exhaustion or by trying to be everything to everyone. The things that make you different, your curiosity, sensitivity, empathy, imagination, and persistence, are not flaws to fix but strengths that will carry you far. Read more>>
Jennifer Sims
I’d tell my younger self to care less what other people think and care a LOT more about what’s best for you, Other people’s opinions won’t pay the bills or help you fulfill your purpose. Read more>>
Georgina Asamoah Boakye
I’d tell my younger self that she was right to dream about everything she wanted that, she was created for something extraordinary. Even when life looked uncertain, she held on to her light, and I’m proud of how far she’s come. I’d tell her that I’ve protected her dreams, stayed true to her purpose, and turned every challenge into strength. Read more>>
Alexandra DeMattia
*Laughs* That’s a loaded question! I’d definitely tell my younger self to buckle up, because it’s going to be a journey — and sometimes a turbulent one — but eventually, the plane will land. I always imagined my life would be all about music, and while that’s not the path I’m on now, I honestly enjoy my life so much more. Read more>>
Brian Gilbert
If I could offer advice to my younger self, it would be to have more patience and trust in the gradual evolution of your artistic style. Finding real meaning in your work comes from embracing every life experience, both the highs and the lows. Read more>>
Cory McAtee
I would tell myself to ignore naysayers and to trust my inner goals and instincts. It’s easy to feel discouraged if you listen to negativity or skepticism. If everyone gave up because of thinking like that, nothing would ever get accomplished. All of the amazing things that people have created wouldn’t exist. You have to believe in yourself, put in the effort, and keep going. Read more>>
