What I Wish I Knew in My Teens as I’m getting to 30

1. Connect More With People.

I think I should have connected more with people in the world rather than being so focused on books and grades.

Grades got me far, like really far, but I think I could have done less with the grades and maybe traded that for connection, getting to know peoples worlds better.

2. Believe in Myself and My Gifts

I should believe in myself more and know that I’m such an intelligent being with so many gifts and talents, and I should really believe in them and work at growing those talents.

Because yeah, they were worth growing or they were worth seeing through.

I should have started writing a long time ago, and I should have pursued it relentlessly without fear or perfection in mind.

3. Listen to Myself

I should tune out what everyone else was saying and listen to myself and what I want, and use that as my blueprint in the world.

Like always doing what I want. That way I would not people please as much and would have been safer and happier.

4. It’s Okay to Make Mistakes

I wish I knew that it was okay to make mistakes and not be perfect, and that’s what being human meant.

Above all this is what I’d want my future self, even my current self to remember.

In summary I’d tell her to keep being herself, and to keep figuring life even when it felt confusing. She didn’t have the answer to all questions, but what mattered is she kept moving and believing in herself.