5 Things I’d Tell My Younger Self…
If you are anything like me you may be looking back to your younger years and wishing you knew then what you know now. Here’s a few.
Be Yourself
“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken”-Oscar Wilde
Growing up everyone is trying to be the version of themself they think they should be. They try to change who they are to fit in, be popular, or be attractive to their crush. STOP IT! Be authentically you. Ever heard the phrase ‘Keeping Up With The Jones’ it was a comic strip that ran in American newspapers for over 20 years, that featured characters obsessed with maintaining their social status equal to their neighbours the Jones family. Behaving this way is truly mentally exhausting, affects your happiness and can affect your wallet.
You Create Your Own Happiness
Stop relying on your friends, partner and family to fulfil the happiness in your life. They are likely struggling in their own lives and cannot spend time and energy solely on making you happy. Reflect internally and make a list of things that bring joy into your life. Do you like to cook? Do more of that! Do you like to garden? Do more of that! Do you like to be lazy on the couch binge watching your favourite TV show? Do more of that! Empower yourself to take the driver seat in your own life. Make decisions, indulge in self care and take ownership of you life. “Once you learn how to create your own happiness, no one can take it from you.”-Robert Tew
Don’t Be In A Rush To Grow Up
Seriously this is a big one. Enjoy your youth. I miss the days of grabbing my bike and exploring the town I lived in and spending my time the way I wanted. I didn’t need to punch a clock, meet a deadline or join yet another Teams call. I still remember popping the bubbles in the tar on the road in front of my house when the summer sun heated it so hot it could burn you. Weird memory to have but it lives rent free in my bank of memories. Live in the moment and enjoy every stage of your life.
You Are Strong, And Will Survive The Hard Times
The one thing that is guaranteed to happen is things constantly changing and time moving forward. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”-Friedrich Nietzsche Hardships in your life are difficult but you will survive whatever hard times are thrown your way. In the moment it can feel your life is over. The best thing I heard before and think about it whenever I am going through a hard time is that things are not happening ‘TO’ you they are happening ‘FOR’ you. What that simply means is that even when facing challenges and setbacks there is the potential for growth, learning and better opportunities. If you watch TV or movies you know there are many story lines of people missing their flight or running late and they either avoid tragedy or meet the love of their life. I truly believe everything happens for a reason and God has a plan for each of us. So no matter what life throws at you give it some time to get better perspective.
Be Kind
There is no greater reward than the feeling of just being a kind person. Be-friend the weird kid. Open doors for strangers. Tell a mom with a crying baby she is doing a great job. Genuinely listen to people when you ask them how they are. Pay for the next person in line of your favourite coffee shop drive thru. There are so many ways to be kind each and every day. Will you always receive kindness back?…nope …but that is ok. Feel good that you are a good person and want to do good to others.
“In a world where you can be anything be kind”-Clare Pooley
