Things I’d Tell My Younger Self

If I could sit down with my younger self — in the quiet between the chaos, the growth, and the growing pains — here’s what I’d say. These aren’t just things I’ve learned. They’re truths I’ve had to live through to really understand.

1. It’s Okay to Start Over

For a long time, I thought starting over meant failure. That if I didn’t get it “right” the first time, I must’ve done something wrong.

But life isn’t linear. You’re allowed to pivot. You're allowed to pause. You're allowed to begin again — as many times as it takes.

Starting over doesn’t erase your progress. It means you’re brave enough to realign when something no longer fits. And that’s powerful.

2. You Don’t Need Everyone to Like You

This one took time to sink in. I used to bend, shrink, and soften parts of myself just to avoid conflict or stay liked.

But the truth is — when you start living as your most authentic self, not everyone will clap. And that’s okay. Being deeply understood by a few is far more valuable than being vaguely liked by many.

You don’t need to fit in everywhere. You just need to be real where it matters.

3. People Will Come and People Will Go

Some people will only walk with you for a season. Some will challenge you, some will teach you, and some will simply pass through. Let them.

Not every relationship is meant to last forever — but nearly all of them leave behind something worth learning. The hardest part is accepting that letting go can be an act of growth too.

The lesson? Don’t hold on so tightly to temporary things. Make space for the people who see you now, not just the version you used to be.

4. Life Can Be Hard Now, Easy Later — Or Easy Now, Hard Later

There’s no escaping the trade-off.

You can push through the discomfort now — the discipline, the boundaries, the sacrifice — and build a life that feels fulfilling later.

Or, you can seek comfort now — avoid the work, the reflection, the stretching — and meet resistance later.

The good news? You get to choose your “hard.”Choose the version that gets you closer to the life you want.

Final Thoughts

If I could pass on one thing, it’s this:There is no rulebook. You are allowed to change your mind, to choose peace over performance, and to rewrite your story — whenever you need to.

Because healing and growing isn’t about finding yourself all at once. It’s about returning to yourself, little by little.