What is something you wish you could tell your 20-year-old self?
If I Could Sit Down With My 20-Year-Old Self
I often think about that younger version of me—insecure, shy , and a quiet uncertainty that I didn’t always show on the outside. If I could sit across the table from them now, cup of tea in hand, I wouldn’t overwhelm them with advice. I’d keep it simple. Honest. Grounded in what truly matters.
First, I would say this: everything will be okay.
Not perfect. Not smooth. Not without heartbreak, wrong turns, or moments where you feel completely lost—but okay. Life has a way of working itself out, even when it doesn’t look like it in the moment. Some of the things you’ll worry about most won’t matter in a few years, and some of the hardest moments will quietly shape your strength.
I would tell them to believe in yourself.
Not in a loud, overconfident way—but in a steady, quiet knowing that you are capable. You don’t need to have all the answers right now. You don’t need to prove yourself to everyone in the room. The confidence you’re looking for comes from doing, trying, failing, and getting back up again. Trust that you are building something, even when it feels slow.
Then I’d lean in and say: follow your gut.
That instinct you sometimes ignore? It’s there for a reason. It will guide you better than outside noise ever can. When something feels right, pay attention. When something feels off, don’t brush it aside just to keep the peace. Listening to yourself will save you time, energy, and heartache.
And maybe most importantly: don’t believe everything everyone tells you.
People will project their fears, limitations, and opinions onto you—sometimes without even realizing it. Just because someone says you can’t do something doesn’t make it true. Question things. Think for yourself. Stay open, but don’t hand over your sense of direction to someone else.
Life won’t unfold exactly how you imagine it—and that’s not a failure, it’s the point. The unexpected turns often lead to the most meaningful chapters.
If I could leave my younger self with one feeling, it would be reassurance. That you don’t need to rush. That you’re allowed to grow at your own pace. And that one day, you’ll look back and realise—you made it through more than you ever thought you could.
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