We asked some of the wisest people we know what they would tell their younger selves. Check out their responses below.
Nijayah (Empathdivine) Jones
I would tell her YOU MATTER and that it’s not your fault . Be gentle and kind to yourself and don’t allow people to walk over you . You are the light never feel you have to dim it to please others . Put yourself first , take risks take leaps. Read more>>
Sarah Strackhouse
I would tell my younger self this: Don’t be afraid to walk away from the anchor desk, the reporting job, or even television altogether. Leaving won’t leave you lost or full of regret — it will open doors you can’t yet imagine. Read more>>
Jon Berne
I’d tell my younger self to keep eating and exploring all the new foods that excite you!! Growing up in New York City, I was exposed to so many culinary cultures at a young age, and I had strong opinions about flavor even then. Having that conviction in my own palate has become one of my biggest strengths as a chef. Read more>>
Clone (Chenghao) Wen
I miss you, darling i miss you. Read more>>
olivia D’ eleia
I would tell my younger self to always follow her passion, without stopping, trusting that life has a way of guiding you to where you truly want to be. To strengthen her mind and carry her passion with clarity, discipline, and emotional support, so that when challenges arise, she can confidently find her way back. Read more>>
Angel Dweh
If I could speak to my younger self, I would say, ‘Great job! You held onto your belief in your inner voice as a dancer, and that determination truly paid off. You embraced every opportunity, from singing and performing in school musicals to excelling in sports, showcasing your diverse talents. Read more>>
Benjamin Yirenkyi
Hmmm! Now, that’s a very good question. I would say to the young Benny- kudos for never giving up and for always being super ambitious because those qualities are what have brought you this far. Read more>>
Ashley Smith
It’s not going to turn out exactly as we hoped, but you’re still going to be blown away at how much we’ve accomplished. Read more>>
Andrea Russell
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self it would be, ‘You are enough, you are beautiful, and you are stronger than you think!’ Read more>>
Alberto Garcia-Uria
Learn from your mistakes. Look at the challenges you will face as a necessary part of your journey. You will be fine Read more>>
Malcolm Worthy
I’d tell my younger self you were never lost, you were just being prepared. The silence was training your voice, the pain was sharpening your purpose. Don’t let the world rush you. Everything you dreamt of is real, you just had to grow into the version of you that could hold it. Read more>>
Joseph McGovern
This is a very interesting question and I would like to take it to a similar question most people ask or hear in present day, today – What’s a three word phrase you would tell your younger self? My response would be (which I’ve thought about this response for many years) – Never Stop Trying. This response is a phrase I live by every day. Read more>>
Stellah Kay
You have so much strength just waiting to be unlocked. Allow yourself to do things the right way, even though it may be the harder way, so that you can learn how strong, resilient, and beautiful you are inside and out. That will begin the reshaping of how you talk to yourself and truly love yourself. Read more>>
Brenessa Roach
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be: Being a fangirl isn’t a bad thing. That passion will shape who you are and give you a unique understanding of artists and fandom knowledge that will make you powerful in marketing and connecting with audiences, often without you even realizing it. Read more>>
Zhongqi Fu
I’d tell my younger self: “Keep creating—don’t worry if it’s messy, weird, or imperfect. Your curiosity is your superpower, and the things that make you different now are the things that will make your work meaningful later.” Also… don’t stress about drawing on the walls. That instinct to make beauty out of anything? That’s not a flaw—it’s your gift. Trust it. Read more>>
Sierra Shingler
“If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be this: You don’t have to be perfect to be powerful. I know you never imagined you’d one day stand confidently in front of a camera, owning every curve and every angle. I know you thought your insecurities would always speak louder than your dreams. Read more>>
Adi Klevit
I would tell my younger self: persist — don’t give up. There will be obstacles along the way, and some of them will feel personal or discouraging. But they’re not signs to stop — they’re chances to learn, adjust, and grow stronger. Keep moving forward, even when it’s messy or slow. And just as important, surround yourself with the right people. Read more>>
Karissa Burkee
You don’t have to dim your own light to make everyone else comfortable. Growing up, I was such a people pleaser — always trying to meet everyone’s expectations, always trying to keep the peace and be agreeable. Over time, I’ve learned that kindness doesn’t mean sacrificing your own voice. You can be thoughtful and generous while still honoring your own boundaries and dreams. Read more>>
Juliana Meidl
If I could say one thing to my younger self it would be to always stay focused on your goals and believe you can do anything. Don’t let other people’s opinions and thoughts on your choices influence the decisions you make. One of the best parts of getting older is this is something that becomes so much easier to do. Read more>>
Gabriel Alexis
I’d tell my younger self: you’re not behind. Everything you’re dreaming about is going to happen. Be patient with yourself, trust your path, and don’t dim your light. Shine boldly — God will use it to inspire others. Don’t lose your faith. Keep going. One day, you’ll look back and realize every challenge was shaping you into the person you were meant to become.I’d tell my younger self: you’re not behind. Everything you’re dreaming about is going to happen. Be patient with yourself, trust your path, and don’t dim your light. Shine boldly — God will use it to inspire others. Don’t lose your faith. Keep going. One day, you’ll look back and realize every challenge was shaping you into the person you were meant to become. Read more>>
Ruby
Thank you for being you — even when it felt easier to blend in. Read more>>
Amy Davis
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be to trust yourself and that everything you need is already within you. So often, we look for external opinions or validation for various decisions or situations. Read more>>
Krisitian Yu
Keep going bud, it will not be easy, but I promise, it’ll all be worth it…’ Read more>>
Olga Zhdanova
I would tell myself: Everything that seems like an obstacle is actually a path to yourself. Those moments when it hurts, when it seems like you’re going the wrong way—these aren’t mistakes, but springboards for your selfhood. They hone your form, help you hear your own voice and distinguish it from the noise. I would say: don’t look for validation outside yourself. Read more>>
