“Dear younger self, you’ve always been enough.” – Alex Elle
This month, I’ll be celebrating my 39th trip around the sun (I can’t believe this will be my last year in my 30s!), and I’m beyond excited about this new chapter. More than any of my previous birthdays, I feel an increased sense of gratitude for making it this far.
Each year, when my birthday comes around, I like to be alone to reflect on my life’s journey. What I’ve come to realize is that this is one of the happiest, healthiest seasons of my life (because I’ve put in the work to make it that way).
Going into chapter 39, I’ve pondered on the choices I’ve made over the years and how those choices have impacted my life, for better or worse. But mostly, I keep thinking about the younger version of me, which has become my inspiration to do better and be better going forward. I often wish I could turn back time and have a conversation with my younger self. I wish I could tell her she’s beautiful, even though she doesn’t believe it at times. In honor of my 39th birthday—I’ve compiled a list of 39 things I’d tell my younger self to prepare her for life, love, and everything in between.
- Don’t be discouraged if others are accomplishing things before you. Stay focused on YOUR path. Every flower blooms in its own time.
- Friends come and go, but the true ones will always have a place in your heart.
- Your mind can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Be conscious of your thoughts.
- Trust your intuition. When you know, you know.
- It’s impossible to please everyone. So, focus on pleasing yourself.
- True love does exist… but it won’t come easy or without pain (great things rarely do).
- Know your worth… but don’t waste your time trying to prove it to anyone.
- People will treat you based on how you treat yourself. When you treat yourself well, others will follow suit!
- Keep going when life gets tough. God may allow you to bend, but He will never let you break.
- Hug the people you love a little tighter.
Keep going when life gets tough. God may allow you to bend, but He will never let you break.
- Self-love takes practice, but it will be completely worth the effort in the end.
- You’ll never know until you try.
- Motherhood will be the hardest—and the best thing—you’ll ever do.
- Worry less and laugh more.
- Things won’t always work out as planned. It’s OK—sometimes they’ll work out better.
- What is meant to be will always find its way into your life. Always.
- Consistency will take you far in life.
- Big girls DO cry.
- Don’t let society dictate your happiness.
- You are stronger than you think.
- It’s not OK to take a break… it’s essential.
- Prioritize your passions.
- Don’t overthink things. Give your mind a chance to relax.
- Nobody’s perfect. Absolutely nobody.
- Forgive yourself and move forward. After all, you’re only human…
- Don’t get lost in memories of your past or worries about your future. Embrace the present moments.
- Trust in God’s timing.
- Make your peace a priority.
Don’t get lost in memories of your past or worries about your future. Embrace the present moments.
- Don’t worry, it will all make sense in the end.
- You’re responsible for your growth.
- Have more faith than fear.
- Give yourself alone time. Because happiness starts with strengthening the relationship you have with yourself.
- Failure isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, it’s actually one of the best ways to learn.
- Celebrate your progress (even the small wins).
- Finding your authentic voice takes time.
- Dreams don’t come true unless you take action.
- Get lost in simple pleasures more often.
- Don’t rush who you’re becoming.
- Love is an inside job.
Entering this new chapter of life has really given me a chance to reflect on my past journey. I’m reminded of all there is to be grateful for, and I’m walking boldly into the future.
Stepping into chapter 39, I’ve forged a deeper connection with my younger self. I’m falling more in love with who I once was, who I currently am, and who I’m in the process of becoming.
As I reflect on the wisdom I’ve gained over the years, I would tell my younger self to have no regrets about her journey. Because every life experience is a precious gift… a learning opportunity… and a chance at growth!
96 responses to “To My Younger Self: Advice About Life, Love, and More”
Aw I love this and can relate to just about every point you made! Hoping you gain even more wisdom through happy times in your 39th chapter.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading, Abby!
Beautiful article and I feel it was very relatable and spot on. I’ve taken some time to reflect as well, #8 was the hardest for me to grasp, but I’m getting there! Thank you for sharing & Happy Birthday Too You!
#8 was a hard one for me too, Deshandra. And many of these, I’m still learning… Btw, thanks for the birthday wishes!
I get self-conscious too as my birthday approaches…Great tips!
Same here Giada! Birthdays are my most reflective seasons. Thanks for reading.
I’m in my early 20’s and this just eyed opening
I remember that age, Michelle! You have so much more growth in store! Thanks for reading, love.
Love this! So many great lessons here. Happy birthday. 💕
Thanks, LaToya!
Great read! This article is so on point. I look forward to hearing what you have to say each month.
That means a lot to hear! Glad you enjoyed it!
These are all great gems of wisdom. Thanks so much!
Thanks for reading, Gina!
I don’t know how you know it, but these are the exact things I would tell myself. The connection is real. Great read!!!
Glad you enjoyed it, love! ❤️
These are things I wish to tell myself! Things that can be hard lessons to learn. I love this!!!! You have a new subscriber.
All of these things you’ve shared are so wonderful and encouraging; we all experience things when we were younger that may have caused us upset of doubt, etc and it’s so amazing to look back and see how far we came. It is lovely to give our younger selves advice as it speaks directly to who we are right now (I did something similar on my site and it proved cathartic). Thanks for sharing, and Happy Birthday for this month!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Molly! And I’m glad you found this post to be encouraging. I look forward to checking out your site to read your post on this topic!
So great. #37 is my focus now- Get lost in simple pleasures more often.
Agreed, Brandi! #37 is so important!
My favorite reminder- “people will treat you based on how you treat yourself.” Wonderful list!
It took me a long time to learn that one, Marie. But now I understand. You really do have to teach people how to treat you. Thanks for reading, hun!
So inspiring
Glad you found this post to be inspiring, Moumita!
So beautiful! I would love to tell my younger self most of these as well. I hope you have a wonderful year #39!
Thanks, Catherine!
Absolutely love this post! But you number one right from the start hit me hard! Something to think about….
Thanks for reading, Hanna! #1 definitely takes practice. Sometimes it’s hard not to compare our journeys to others.
Love this inspiring list, 32 and 33 are my fav. Thank you for sharing this great post.
Glad you enjoyed this post, Yufi. Thanks for reading!
I love this list! I’m turning 38 soon so would be a great time to make my own list. Number #13 is my favorite. Motherhood is so hard but the most precious thing!
Lol… Motherhood is definitely a wild journey, Hilary! And I would love to read that list.
This really gave me all the feel goods. I’m 35 and going through a 1/3 life crisis so a lot or all of these things I needed to hear!
So glad this list inspired you, Alina. Wishing you continued growth!
Love this! Awesome advice!
Love this! I often think back on things I would tell myself! It’s great to keep these type of lists! Thank you for sharing!
What a beautifully written piece of what you’d tell your younger self! I am curious how you’ll feel once you’re 40!
These are all so true!
I just turned 40 and I wish I knew these things in my teens. But life doesn’t work that way, we have to learn things the hard way sometimes. 🙂
So true, Kate. If only we knew then what we know now. But of course, that would make life too easy, right?!
Sooo much learning in 39 years!!!! It was my 29th birthday yesterday. Love my Virgo sisters.
Happy 29th birthday, Elle!
Love all this advice. Enjoy your birthday.
Hey there! 🌟 I really enjoyed reading your post. It’s like a treasure trove of wisdom and advice, and so many of those hit home. Happy Birthday wishes to you! 🎂🎉
So glad this post resonated with you, Danielle! And thanks for the birthday wishes!
This is great advice! Quite uplifting and inspirational.
Glad to hear it, Elexus!
Am I crying? Maybe a little bit. Love to see all these lessons and how so many of us resonate with them.
Lol! It’s OK to cry, Sel… I’m glad to hear that this post resonated with you and so many others!
Love love Love this!!! I’ll be repeating your 39 things to myself regularly (plus adding a couple more as I just turned 42 🙈
Awesome! Glad you enjoyed my list, and happy belated birthday, Belle!
Totally agree with number 32. I love to have alone time.
It makes all the difference, Melanie!
Great advice to our younger selves!
Thanks, Stephanie!
This one resonated with me big time: “Motherhood will be the hardest—and the best thing—you’ll ever do.” Yesss.
The whole truth, Kaci! Thanks for reading.
Wow! So nice to read a blog full of positivity, I wonder what you will write for your 40th? I am 20+ years ahead of you and I find your words wise and helpful. We are the only person we get to spend our whole life with, so we better be best pals with ourselves!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Kay! Glad you enjoyed this post. I’m eager to see what life lessons I’ll gain over this next year. I’m sure I’ll have a lot more insight to share for my 40th. 😉
Love this! I will be sharing with my 22 year old daughter!
Awesome, Gia! Hope she enjoys it.
You’re responsible for your growth.
This is the one that hit me the most. I wish I knew this earlier. Thank you for sharing these amazing information.
God bless you 🙏.
Thanks, Esther!
I totally agree about consistency. I wish I had known that when I was younger. The other is trusting your intuition. So important to listen to what you feel.
Thanks for reading, John! I wish I knew so many of these lessons when I was younger. Experience really is the best teacher!
Big girls do cry resonated with me. I recently lost my mother and almost feel ashamed when I need to cry it out. It’s nice to validated.
I’m truly sorry about your loss, Emily. And yes, it’s more than OK to cry it out. Sending you lots of love and strength. ❤️
This is a agree post a specially about listening to your own intuition!
Dreams don’t come true unless you take action.
This has been a big one for me. It all started when I woke up and realized I was creating a life that did not align with my values. I was ‘dreaming’ about things I didn’t want. Now that I dream about things that align with my values, it has become easier to take action.
Love this post. Great way to celebrate you and your 39 years. Cheers
Glad to hear it, Marijana! Good luck on going after your dreams.
First of all…happy birth month! But secondly, wow! What great little nuggets of wisdom. So many good things in this post. It’s amazing what we realize we’ve learned when we take the time to self reflect. Thank you for sharing that with us!
First of all…happy birth month! But secondly, wow! What great nuggets of wisdom. It’s amazing what we realize we’ve learned when we sit down and self reflect. Thank you for sharing it with us!
This was a great read for a mom of 6 also 39 🙂 it’s good to know we’re not alone.❤️
Happy early birthday! I love all your wisdom is this post! I think anytime we get near a milestone birthday reflection is essential as is learning things for the next chapter of life.
It’s impossible to please everyone! This is so true. Might as well do what you want to do!
You do not look a day over 30!!!! I love this post and the lessons and happy early birthday!! I hope you have an amazing one when it comes!!
Loved all of the advice. As someone who is younger. I appreciate it ❤
Thanks so much for this! Inspiring!
I love your list of thoughts about life. I’m 42 and I still try to accept that friends come and go. Thank you for inspiration and good advice.
These are all great! Good reminders for anyone at any age.
So many good things here. I love #33. Failure has given me some of my best life lessons.
This is sucha lovely post! Thanks for sharing.
Yes to all of these! But these stuck out a lot:
-Don’t be discouraged if others are accomplishing things before you
-Stay focused on YOUR path
-Friends come and go
– Trust your intuition.
The list I didnt know I needed! Love it, and thanks for sharing.
Preach! I felt like I was in the choir raising my arms while I read over all of these points! So many wise and wonderful things here, I can’t decide which are my favorites because I love all of them!
Life in 30s provide more meaning and wisdom. Many relatable points in this post. I am so happy that you’ll be stepping into your fantastic 40s really soon. Life is truly a wonderful journey and all the very best!
First I want to say Happy Birthday! Secondly, you’ve provided a ton of wisdom in this post! I’m glad you learned all of these things so that your forties and beyond can be transforming for you and those around you.
These are really beautiful and so true. Thanks for sharing.
Enjoy your last chapter of 3rd floor and let self love win.
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