Dear Teenage Me: What I Wish I Knew Sooner.

What advice would you give to your teenage self?

I wasted so much time worrying about things that don’t even matter today. I focused more on irrelevant things thinking I was doing the right thing, thinking that I had arrived, but not knowing I was only testing the waters.

If I could meet my teenage self, I would give her the advice I wish someone had given me earlier. Yes there is a saying that as we grow older, we learn new things and we adapt to changes. But how can you learn and adapt without the right knowledge?

Most times we are where we are in life because of ignorance. Not that the knowledge is not there, but because we are not in the right environment or with the wrong people and information which limits our chances of being informed.

The world is changing drastically, and only the informed, those with the right knowledge of how the world works can easily survive. But the world will always be a herculean to those who are still struggling to understand it.

So the advice I would give my teenage self would be:

• Be confident and know your worth.

Self worth is very important. If you know your worth, you have mastered the act of self and that would boost your confidence tremendously. Just like the great Socrates says “man know thy self”. You cannot survive life if you don’t know who you are, and life will be meaningless. So know you can be whoever you want to be, be confident, be bold, and shine.

• Choose your friends wisely

The people you associate with can add to your life positively and as well as destroy it. Choose your friends wisely. A good friend is hard to get, but start by being the kind of friend you want to have to others. When people show you who they are believe them the first time. Forgive but always set boundaries. Good friends can help you get to your goals faster, so choose wisely and cherish them in your life.

• Be disciplined and be consistent.

The world only rewards the hardworking ones, not just the hardwork, but your discipline and consistency. Yes, everyone wants a better life, but that life you so much wanted can only manifest with a discipline and consistent spirit. The universe always make room for what we desire and work very hard to come to us. And sometimes it might not come when we want it, but it will definitely come. So make discipline and consistency your backbone and see yourself thrive.

• Don’t rush relationships

Whatever that is meant to be will surely be. You don’t have to rush anything in life, take your time, do your best, be your best and when the right time comes, things will begin to align for you.

• Learn a skill early

This is the most important thing I wish I did earlier. Having a skill is the best thing you will ever do for yourself. You can survive anywhere in the world with the right skill. You can never go hungry as long as you have a skill. Know your strengths and weaknesses and channel them into learning a skill that will benefit you in the future.

• Ignore people’s opinions

People will always talk to prove a point, and sometimes it’s not coming from a good place. When people’s opinions do not align with your goals and if it troubles your instincts the best thing to do is ignore it. Listen to the wise ones, those who support your goal and respect their advice; others’ opinions don’t matter.

• Know that time is precious

A man who doesn’t value time is a man who is on his way to doom. Time is very important and precious, if you value your life, value your time. Time waits for no man, always plan yourself if you want to succeed in life.

• Failure is normal

Failure is always an option. Because when you fail, you try again and again. But what is not an option is giving up. Don’t see yourself less or incapable whenever you fail, see it as a learning process because a man who tries and fails is better than the one who doesn’t try at all.

• Prioritize your mental health

Know that your mental health is your greatest priority. Choose your peace over anything. Say no to anything that will trigger your mental health. Your mental health is at peace whenever your heart is at peace. Don’t give people the power over your peace. You’re in control and always know that nothing is worth losing yourself or your peace.

My teenage self, life is a journey, but a journey only you can plan. Now you know this and I believe it will be of tremendous help to you. Good luck.