What Advice Would You Give To Your Younger Self?

What Advice Would You Give To Your Younger Self?

Each new day brings an opportunity for us to start fresh and be the best ‘us’ we can be. Each New Year gives us the opportunity to reflect on the past year and wish for a good or better one. And unless you’re one of the many who have given up on the whole idea, it is also the time we make those bold New Year’s resolutions. For the coming year we resolve to lose weight, gain courage; quit smoking, take up yoga; start a book, finish what we started; fill our souls, empty our thoughts; find our soulmate, lose our baggage; remember what’s important, forgive what’s not; give laughter, take time with loved ones.

As we all know, resolutions usually end up resolving right into oblivion! Right?! (Statistics say that only 8% of people are successful in achieving their resolutions.) Losing weight is always at the top of the list, but we begin diets January 2nd because the 1st is still part of the holiday season! We have to have a big fatty high cholesterol breakfast while watching the Rose Parade; or chips and dip, hot wings, hot dogs and hamburgers with the football games. It’s the last hurrah of gluttony before we go to Jenny Craig for our food or Weight Watchers for a meeting.

The whole concept of making these proclamations is usually to change some pattern of behavior. What if, instead of using empty resolutions to improve our quality of life, we use our own life experience? I’m wondering if by digging up some jewels from our own treasure chest of untapped wisdom, it might give our resolutions a chance to thrive. We have all learned certain lessons along the way that are the key to opening the portal to change.

Giving advice to others is always easier than helping ourselves. How about offering it to someone that is closest to you. Not you, but your younger self?! If you could talk to him or her, and share your valuable nuggets from living life, what would you say? If you could write a letter to your younger self, what would you say?

I gave it some thought, so here goes…

Dear Nancy,

Do not let fear control your decisions

Listen to your instincts. They are always right, but often the quietest voice

Negativity is like a magnet that will pull you down off your rock. Stay away from it.

Love, and allow yourself to be loved. You deserve it.

Enjoy ice cream without guilt!

Share your smile

Learn to love your body regardless

Remember all that you are grateful for at least once a day

Remember that how you react to something is your choice

Learn from your mistakes and move on

Forgive yourself for the bad choices you make

Don’t hold a grudge. It is you who suffers, not them

Anyone who doesn’t treat you with respect—dump their ass

It’s ok to say ‘no,’ ‘why?’ and ‘I don’t understand.’

Watch out for limiting beliefs, they will prevent you from living to your potential

Do not expect yourself or anyone to be perfect; you will be forever disappointed

Make time for fun

Savor every moment being with the people you love

Love,

Your Older Self

Perhaps what we write from our heart to our younger selves will have more of an impact than a template of resolutions. And perhaps by talking to the child in us, we can see more clearly what we need to do to succeed in our quest for change.

Ok your turn! It’s fun and enlightening! Try writing a letter to the young you, and see what flows from your fingertips. You may be surprised….

Nancy is a published author of the newly released, “You Want Me to What?!–The Dating Adventures and Life Lessons of a Newly Divorced Woman.” She is also a Certified Life Coach and will soon be taking her act on the road doing public speaking, seminars and workshops. You can read more from Nancy at http://www.nancytellsall.com.

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