"What is one thing you wish you could tell a younger version of yourself?"

OUR INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS SHARE THE WORDS THEY NEEDED TO HEAR WHEN THEY WERE YOUNGER (AND YOU MAY NEED TO HEAR THEM TOO)

Estimated read time: 2 minutes

(Marc Olivier Jodoin / Unsplash)

Take a second and imagine that a younger version of yourself is standing right in front of you. You’ve probably experienced, grown, and learned a lot since you were younger. ⁣

So what do you wish you could tell that version of you? Would it be encouraging words? Advice? Maybe even an apology? 

We asked our Instagram community: What is one thing you wish you could tell a younger version of yourself? If you’re looking for inspiration or self-reflection, here are a few pieces of advice that helped the IDONTMIND community.

We hope they can help you too.

1

“It takes time. Stop thinking that happiness happens overnight. Just do one thing that makes you happy every day and eventually it WILL add up. Patience is a virtue.” — @logannesci

2

“Don’t hang on to those who seem not to mind your absence.” — @marie.oedegaard

3

“It isn’t going to be easy, but you handle it even when you think it’s not possible. Things get better. Even the worst of things get better and you may not always understand why or how. Give in to trust and faith now.” — @stithsage

4

“Tell someone what happened to you.” — @i_am_yali

5

“I’m sorry for everything you have experienced, but trust me when I say, it has put you on a path to self-discovery you never thought possible. Learn to love and accept yourself now and take some risks. It works out in the end.” — @samieejayne

7

“No pain lasts forever.” — @kokolxd

8

“You’re allowed to feel and be angry. Don’t swallow it even if it’s more comfortable for others. You get support when you ask for it — don’t hesitate to do so! Getting help is sometimes difficult but absolutely worth it! Be brave, be proud, be you!” — @this.onedude

9

“You might feel like you are being held back, but trust me, you’ll get to where you need to be. Don’t feel like you are stuck in time. You’re moving at the right pace.” — @isma_.el

10

“Listen to your gut, and act on it. It will be hard, but you’ll be much happier for being yourself instead of pleasing everyone.” — @blue91eyes

11

“So many people will tell you you have to constantly hustle...you don’t. Push pause, stand still, enjoy your present more than you worry about the future.” — @laylak

12

“If you can’t be yourself, your true self, in front of your friends — if you have to pretend to like what they like, act how they act, to make sure they don’t leave you — get new friends. It might seem hard, and maybe it is, but it is worth it.” — @26throver

13

“One day, you will experience grief so powerful that your world will feel like it stopped spinning. Take nothing for granted. Love as hard as you can. Do what makes you happy and have no regrets.” — @theresalexis

14

“I know it’s hard for you right now, and you feel like there is no way out of this emptiness you feel. And I know that you’ve heard this a thousand times and never believed it, but I promise you: you’ll get better. You will feel joy and happiness again. There is so much more I’d like to tell you, but I know that you are a fighter, and you can make it. I believe in you, and I love you so much.” — @cxlina0805

15

“Don’t forget to forgive yourself.” — @s.denisa0