Every scar has a story. “Letter to My Younger Self” invites you into the reflective hearts of people who've walked winding roads—offering gentle truths, bold lessons, and encouragement for anyone still figuring it out. These weekly letters are full of grace and grit, showing how setbacks shape wisdom and how the past still holds power to teach. From nurturing curiosity to embracing mentorship, each piece is a tribute to growth through lived experience.
Lindsey Elise pens this week’s heartfelt Letter to My Younger Self.
Letter to My Younger Self
I am quite happy with how my life has turned out. I have a loving family and a job that enables me to take care of my loved ones. But sometimes when alone with my thoughts, I reflect on the things I could have done differently and whether it would have made a difference in several aspects of my life.
The biggest advice to my younger self is I wish you were bold and confident. As a child, you were very talkative. You feared no one, asking people innocent but sometimes embarrassing questions. Then came your teen years and all that confidence evaporated.
Girl, how I wish you kept that confidence and inquisitiveness. Confidence, I have come to learn, allows one to take on new experiences and challenges without fear. It makes one relate better with people, be it at work or even in a relationship. If you are confident, you can stand up against a bully boss, a friend who is always taking advantage of your kindness or an unreasonable boyfriend.
Never be too trusting. While healthy relationships are built on trust, be discerning. Do not blindly trust everyone. Relationships have been destroyed because one party divulged so much information to a third party only for that person to use it against them.
Another advice to my younger self would be to dream big. Set ambitious goals and please do not settle for easy achievements. I have friends who have made it in life simply because they dared to dream big. They had difficult childhood than I did but they did not let their past define them. That should be the spirit; do not let your past define you.
Parents are almost always right, especially mothers. Ignore their advice and it will come back to bite you. If your mother warns you about a particular friend, take your time to find out why she is against your friendship, do not just ignore her. If she does not like your boyfriend, please lend her an ear. She may have a point, and this could save you from so much misery.
Have a positive attitude. Work on you attitude as much as you do with aptitude. You may be qualified but if you have a bad attitude, it will get you nowhere.
And finally, learn new skills whenever you can. You see, the world is fast evolving, and education is no longer the only qualification that will open doors for you. Learn how to cook, learn a new language, learn sales, learn how to braid hair, you name it.
Keep smiling.
Everyone has a story worth sharing. If you’ve ever wished you could talk to your younger self—with wisdom, forgiveness, or clarity—we invite you to write to us. Your real, heartfelt letter might just be the encouragement someone else needs today. You may remain anonymous if preferred, but your truth matters. We don’t pay contributors, but we believe in the power of shared experience. Join us in building a collection of life’s hard-earned lessons and gentle reminders.
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