Sharing what we wish we would’ve known, so you can know.
Several weeks ago I posted on Instagram and asked my friends what they wish they could go back and tell their younger selves. I was expecting a couple of responses, but I ended up getting over 100. It is amazing the similar lessons we wish we could go back and learn, but because we can’t, but hopefully you can.
Here’s what they said:
Stay sexually pure. Sexual relations before marriage are only full of emotional hurt.
Don’t keep your struggles a secret.
Don’t be embarrassed to dance in front of people.
College is not for everyone and that’s okay.
Take your time.
Be unapologetically yourself.
Trust God, even in the hard stuff of life. Everything else will leave you empty and hurt
Fall in love with yourself before you fall in love with anyone else.
Don’t let outside expectations/standards about your path stop you from taking a leap.
It’s not worth staying offended - bless and release.
Take the mission seriously, don’t take yourself too seriously.
Find clothes that fit you, don’t fit into clothes that don’t, and find joy in that.
Honor your body; sex will not fill that hole.
Move your butt to spread the gospel in public schools.
Step back and recognize what you’re putting your identity in.
Make memories.
No one cares about the brand of jeans you’re wearing.
When you think your heart is broken, fill it with Jesus. No one else can fill the void you feel.
A guy is not worth losing yourself over.
Go to lunch, Disney, travel to the beach alone instead of waiting for others... It’s so empowering!
You cannot please everyone.
You serve an audience of ONE, do everything to glorify God and not other people.
God has a plan, and don’t stress about what college you choose.
Grand accomplishments are built through little moments, so savor every victory and loss.
Never be too proud to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.
Life doesn’t slow down when you hit the next mile marker, press into your present season.
You’re never going to be enough for God. This is why we rejoice in his redemption.
Tell people you love and appreciate them while you can.
Leave the house more.
Have higher expectations of how people should treat you.
Trust God much more than you do. Find peace and rest in him, worrying is not worth it.
You don’t need anyone else’s approval.
Only take advice from people who have the life you want.
If you wouldn’t say it to someone else, don’t say it to yourself.
If you keep doing things you KNOW are in God’s will, the stuff you aren’t sure about will fall into place.
Don’t take yourself or your future too seriously! Have fun with Jesus and enjoy the adventure.
The popular kids won’t be popular after high school.
Best trait to look for in a guy = selflessness hands down.
Start new habits.
Get comfortable with asking a LOT of questions. No reason to pretend you know everything.
The only person you can control is yourself and your reactions.
Your path does not have to look like everyone else’s.
You are going to fail and it’s fine.
You deserve to be loved and loved well.
There is no one else in the world exactly like you.
Boys aren’t everything, you don’t need their approval.
It’s okay to make the same mistakes.
Read more books.
Save more money.
Don’t hold back because you’re scared. Fear is natural, but it shouldn’t control your life.
Everyone else is doing it, doesn’t mean you should. People will admire your boldness
Silence can sometimes be the mature answer.
You can be the bigger person behind the scenes, even if no one realizes it.
It’s okay to step back and let them call you the bad guy for choosing peace over drama.
Tell your people you love them, you may not get more time.
Don’t settle.
Enjoy high school, don’t rush it. You’ll miss it one day.
Your influences matter.
Protect your heart.
Life moves SO fast. It’s true the days are long, but the years are short.
Don’t be scared to get out of your comfort zone. More than likely you’ll love it.
You don’t have to live your life like society tells you that you should.
Be you because you are powerful, kind, and beautifully made.
Life probably won’t go how you think, and that’s okay.
The choices that you make are going to make you.
Stop finding your worth in things that aren’t eternal.
Learn to check your emails.
Try new hobbies when others ask.
You will be most confident and content when you live out of the reality of who you are.
Be Yourself for crying out loud.
You will find friends, real quality friends.
Trust in the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness. He will never leave you stranded. Mean it.
It all works out PLEASE CHILL.
Don’t conform to becoming the version of yourself others want you to be.
Don’t think you have to operate on society’s timeline.
Cling to the Lord, be vulnerable with friends and family, and put away your pride.
God is going to use your pain for his glory.
It’s okay to be alone, sometimes bad friends aren’t worth it.
Eat the food, you need it to survive.
You are not fat.
You are not defined by your family. Their mistakes do not determine your future.
Spend as much time with your mom as you can.
It does get better.
Be present instead of focusing on the future.
Your faith will always be a battle but continue to push through and seek God anyways.
You WILL accomplish the things you desire.
More than likely, they’re looking for a friend too.
Obsess over his word, not the mirror.
You don’t have to be alone in everything.
Let people love you and help you.
You can do so much better.
With time, even the worst things can be beautiful.
Keep going. The hard days will lead you where you need to be.
Ask the prettiest girl to prom. It will be the best night of your life.
Try new things.
Staying close to Jesus is THE MOST important thing in your life.
Life will get harder, but it is rewarding.
Cut them out of your life if you need to.
Don’t make permanent decisions before you reach permanence as a person.
To live in the moment.
You are in control of your life. If you don’t like something, change it!
Quit worrying about needing a boyfriend!
Be yourself. There’s no reason to pretend and be shy.
It’s okay to be different versions of yourself, you are growing.
The people in your life will not always be in your life, be patient.
Go outside of your comfort zone and ask for a mentor.
Learn about other cultures.
Don’t compare where you’re at in life to others.
It’s okay if your plan does not work out exactly how you thought it would.
The way you look holds no value over your abilities.
You’re enough just the way you are. You’re not too much or too little.
You don’t have to rush.
Procrastination lowers the quality of work and increases stress.
Have something to add to the list? Drop a comment, I would love to hear from you!