17 Things I Would Tell My 18-Year-Old Self

As a young girl, I never really did much for myself. I just went with the flow. Looking back, it is as though I didn’t live and take advantage of my full potential.

Nonetheless, I still find myself grateful for my experiences, the things I had, and the things I was able to achieve because they brought me to this moment. But somehow, there are lessons I wish I had learned to help me through my years and make me understand things better.

It wasn’t until recently that I learned the last six. It’s funny how you can learn so much within a short space of time. You can’t plan it all, most lessons come with experience. You just need to allow yourself to see it with each passing time.

1. Invest in yourself.
2. Concentrate on just one thing at a time.
3. Take a chance and believe in yourself.
4. Don’t allow people to make decisions for you.
5. Don’t allow a lack of success to keep you back.]
6. Be thankful for whatever you have.
7. Never compare yourself with others. Everyone is unique in their way.
8. Accept your flaws and work towards self-development which is an ongoing process. Practice self-love.
9. It does not matter what others think of you. Pleasing everyone is purely a waste of time. Have enough confidence to stand up for yourself.
10. Understand that happiness is a journey and not a destination. No one can make you happy but you.
11. Spend as much time with loved ones as possible. Cherish all the moments you get to spend with them. Life is unpredictable.
12. Start speaking and expressing yourself
13. Remember that quite often things take care of themselves
14. Everything is temporary including money.
15. Don’t judge others, you never know what they have gone through in life.
16. Celebrate the small achievements and milestones you reach. They matter
17. Learn, learn, and learn. Read a lot of books: fiction, and non-fiction alike.

Do not be in a hurry for experiences, they will come at the right time.