26 Things I Would Tell My Younger Self
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So, I just turned 26 years old. I know, i know….people who are older or the same age may laugh hysterically. They’ll say:
“You’re just a baby!”
“Wow, you still have so much to learn…”
“pshhhh. I wish I could go back in time and be 26 again.”
Totally fair.
Sure, I know I’m still incredibly young and just starting my journey in this life. All I can do is look back and give my thoughts to others who are younger and in need of advice I wish I had when I was growing up. And, when I grow older, I can look back at this list and compare notes.
Also, by no means have I mastered my own list below; I’m actively working on self-improvement daily. It’s the long-game 100%.
So, without further ado, let’s get right to the 26 things I would tell my younger self:
Stop focusing on what other people think about you; instead, focus on yourself and what makes you happy and fulfilled. Be unapologetically yourself. Being human is a gift; don’t hide who you are in order to make other people like you. You will naturally attract people who like you for you if you simply just be yourself.
Figure out how to say “NO.” This sounds simple but has been one of the hardest lessons in my life. You don’t have to drink and go out every weekend; you don’t need to go clubbing at that fancy club, and you don’t need to go to that work party if you don’t want to. If you feel drained and need a day or three to recharge DO IT without regret.
Work on some form of self-care every day. It doesn’t need to be six hours of self-affirmations in the bathroom mirror; it can be something as easy as taking a walk or making a shortlist of what you’re grateful for in your life. Don’t overthink this. A little work on self-care can go a long way when it compounds over time. This is something I neglected for way too long.
Eat healthier foods. It doesn’t need to be a perfect diet by any means. However, eating even a bit healthier would help eliminate many of the problems I struggled with throughout my adolescence and college life. You are what you eat. If you constantly eat junk food, mental health deteriorates and your brain doesn’t have the strength to grow stronger. It’s just science.
Get a consistent workout routine. High school sports is one thing. That’s easy. Consistent college work-out routines are more difficult. But hey, your metabolism is still kind-of low, thankfully! Then, post-college hits different. All of the sudden, a consistent workout routine becomes essential. Form this habit and follow through for your entire LIFE. Not just one or two months…This will significantly help with mental health and other aspects of your life as well. Diet + Exercise = GOALS.
Be a listener. Stop over-analyzing your every thought for one second and listen to what others are saying. Ask them intriguing questions and be genuinely curious. Stop overthinking basic conversations!! Get over this hurdle and your self-confidence will flourish. OH, AND REMEMBER NAMES…
Find your confidence. Stop getting into your own head all the time. YOU’RE AMAZING. Stop focusing on your past mistakes. Nobody’s perfect. Live in the present and kick some ass regardless of what has happened before. Don’t let past emotions change your present mood. Period.
Stay true to your values. There have been moments in my life where my environment led to bad decisions and/or inaction, and I’m not proud of that. Many times I was afraid to speak up because I wanted everyone to like me. That was a mistake. If someone crosses a line, I won’t hold back my feelings anymore; I’ll confront that situation and handle the consequences.
Take more risks (responsibly). Stop holding yourself back. Don’t let past experiences unfairly dictate a new opportunity. Ask that girl out and stop being afraid of rejection. Apply for that job you aren’t qualified for. Go on that vacation in the Amazon jungle. We’re only young once; do things you can tell grandkids about later in life. Take advantage of your youth.
Read/Listen to podcasts more. Reading just a few pages or listening to one educational podcast each day will pay off tenfold later in your life. Stay hungry & learn about the world.
Learn about money. There’s this little thing called compound interest that I could have taken advantage of earlier in life. An extra 10-15 years of compounding wealth (even with just a few dollars here and there) would have given me a significant head start.
Write more. Follow your passion and write for fun. You won’t regret it! Writing is a skill you use every single day.
Everyone’s struggling with something. You aren’t the only person in the world dealing with problems. Nobody lives a perfect life despite what their latest Instagram picture may show. You aren’t alone.
Avoid arguing with closed-minded people. You will never win. This is especially the case with family. Stay away from that political debate on Christmas Eve.
Manage time spent watching TV & playing video games. Don’t get me wrong, I find immense joy spending time doing these things; however, finding a balance is crucial. This can be a toxic filler if taken too far.
Never be ashamed of who you are. So what if you’re dorky or bad at math. So what if you’re socially awkward or can’t sing. So what if you aren’t popular or have a cleft lip. That’s what makes you unique and unlike everyone else. Don’t be ashamed of that or try to hide it; embrace the uniqueness.
Learn to love being alone. You spend 24/7 with yourself and your thoughts, so it’s important to learn how to live independently. This will significantly help during the bad days and help you find inner peace.
Forgive. Sometimes forgiveness is the only option for a better life moving forward. Some relationships are just too important to ignore.
Stop blaming others. Life isn’t fair. Not by a long shot. Regardless of your situation, blaming others for your problems won’t help you live your best life. Blame yourself. The only thing you can do is rise above the challenges and fight with everything you have to live a good life that you’re proud of.
Don’t be afraid of change. Embrace it. Life will throw curveballs at you. Be ready for them.
Show empathy to others. Empathy is the most important leadership trait out there. Genuinely care about helping others and you will be rewarded with good relationships.
Don’t stand in your own way. Sometimes the biggest decision you can make is to step aside and let yourself do something you may be uncomfortable with. If you stand in the way you’ll miss out on opportunities that may change your life.
Stop talking shit. If you don’t have something nice to say don’t say it at all. I wish I had just kept my mouth shut more often growing up. If you have a real problem with someone, confront it. Don’t just talk shit. It doesn’t help.
Be vulnerable. Don’t hide your emotions; embrace them. There’s nothing bad about letting your wall down around people that genuinely care about you. Real emotions need to be shared every once in a while. There’s no shame in that.
Don’t bring others down. Stop teasing friends and family constantly. This is toxic behavior. Friendship should be about bringing each other up, not tearing each other down.
It’s okay to fail. Seriously. Just keep your head up and keep trying. I was so afraid of failure that it stopped me from doing some amazing things. Failing is learning.
BONUS: Just have fun. Always prioritize a fun life. We’re only young once, so don’t waste it.
Hayden Schuster
