What Would Your Younger Self Say?
Looking Back to Find Wisdom for Moving Forward
Have you ever looked back at an old photo of yourself and thought, Wow, I’ve come a long way?
Or maybe you’ve caught yourself wondering, What would my younger self think of me now?
It’s a powerful reflection, one that can be both inspiring and eye-opening.
Life moves quickly, so we often forget to check in with our past selves. Those versions of us dreamed, hoped, and planned for the future.
But today, let’s take a moment to reconnect with that younger self and see what they might say about where we are now.
Would they be proud?
Think back to yourself at, say, 10 or 15 years old.
What were you passionate about?
What did you imagine for your future?
Maybe you thought you’d be a doctor, an artist, or live in a big city with a cool job.
Maybe you dreamed of traveling the world, writing a book, or starting a business.
Now, be honest—are you anywhere near that vision?
If not, don’t be too hard on yourself.
Life isn't always a straight line. When we’re young, we often miss the truths of being an adult.
But if your younger self would be disappointed, ask yourself:
Why? Have you stopped chasing the things that once mattered to you?
Or have your dreams simply evolved into something even better?
What Would They Remind You To Do?
Younger, you were probably a little bolder, a little more excited about possibilities.
They believed in magic, in adventure, and in the idea that anything was possible.
Would they remind you to have more fun?
To take more risks?
To stop worrying so much about what other people think?
Maybe they’d tell you to pick up that hobby you loved but abandoned when life got busy.
They might remind you of something you wanted badly. Now, fear or self-doubt are stopping you.
What would they thank you for?
We often criticize ourselves too harshly. If your younger self saw you now, he or she'd likely be more impressed than you realize.
Maybe they’d thank you for pushing through tough times.
Maybe they’d be amazed at the friends you’ve made, the skills you’ve developed, or the experiences you’ve had.
Even if life doesn’t look exactly like you imagined it would, that doesn’t mean you have failed.
In fact, you’ve probably gained wisdom, resilience, and strength in ways you never expected.
Moving Forward with Their Wisdom
So what now?
What do you do with this reflection?
Reignite Old Passions – Think about a hobby you once loved. Try bringing it back into your life.
Embrace Fearless Curiosity – Your younger self wasn’t afraid to dream big. Tap into that energy and go after something exciting.
Celebrate How Far You’ve Come – Even if you’re not where you thought you’d be, you’ve grown in ways that matter. Acknowledge and appreciate your journey.
Be kinder to yourself – if your younger self would look at you with admiration, maybe it’s time you did the same.
So here’s a challenge for you: write a letter to your younger self.
What would you say?
What advice would you give?
And, more importantly, what would they say to you?
You might just find that the wisdom you’ve been searching for has been within you all along.
Until next time,
~M
My younger self would be so very disappointed. I should never have left the corporate world to become a teacher. I left a six-figure salary for nothing.
I would tell my younger self to keep practicing voice and piano. I would tell her that applause is fleeting, and the real reward is self discipline, the by-product of showing up every day. I would tell her that consistency and peace comes when you do what you love, not what others love for you. Would I have listened to this wise old woman back when I was a young woman? Today’s post was incredibly helpful. Thank You. I think I will call that music teacher whose poster I’ve seen.