8 things I'd go back and tell my younger self

My entire life I've felt more mature than my age. I've always been told I don't act my age and that I come 

across older. Whether that be because I have severe anxiety so the thought of rebelling and consequences 

terrified me, therefore the typical 'teenage' things I didn't do. I've always romanticised life and loved the 

idea of being independent. Even though I'm only 24 I do find myself wishing I could go back and take 

advantage of my late teens/early adulthood. There are things I'm starting to implement more into my life 

now whilst I am still young, but if I could go back and give my younger self advice this is what I'd say!

Being truly myself is something I've always been scared off. Scared off rejection, embarrassment, failure 

and judgement. This is still something that I am working on but i wish I could go back and tell myself to 

stop apologising for who you are and don't be so harsh on yourself. Everyone is different and unique and 

that's what makes them who they are. No 2 people are the same and that's what's beautiful. Although 

'fitting in' is the easier option, I don't want to be like everyone else and that is something that makes me 

who I am and I'm not apologising for it.

Don't be afraid to talk to people and get to know people. I'm not someone who is going up to random 

people in the street and making friends everyday, but even just a basic polite conversation with a stranger 

used to terrify me. Now when I go out, I'm not afraid to talk to people, get to know them and gain 

friendships and relationships. I love getting to know people, hearing their stories and what they enjoy 

and not being scared or afraid to talk to people is the only way to do so. 

Friendships are truly determined by quality over quantity. My mom always told me this growing up and it 

wasn't until recently I truly understood. I'd rather have 3 true friends than 30 fake ones who aren't honest 

and judge me for being myself. I've never been someone with a huge friendship group but those who I do 

have, I know are ones that I can count on and truly matter. 

Going hand in hand with not apologising for who I am, I always try and remember that you will be judged 

either way. Whether you do good or bad, wrong or right, every single thing that you do someone will 

judge you for it. Society has proven this over the last few years. Yes making good positive decisions are 

always the best option, even then someone won't be happy with that. There are always people watching 

and people waiting to bring you down. Being authentically yourself is all that matters. 

I was never the teenager who went behind her parents back, snook out the house and went drinking in the 

park. I didn't rebel or do anything that would or did get me in trouble. Although I don't necessarily regret 

this, part of me does wish that I said yes more often. I was too afraid of consequences that I never did 

anything worth talking about. I haven't got fun or interesting stories to tell my children or grandchildren. 

As the years go on I'm still scared of getting in trouble with higher authority but I've starting saying yes 

more and stop worrying about the small stuff and being spontaneous.

xoxo

Lea-Mai