Listen up, younger self

If you could go back right now, what would you tell your younger self? The inspiration for this question came from a recent post by Scary Mommy Jill Smokler about the 15 things she'd tell her 15 year-old self.

If the past is the past, then why go back?

Simple. You saying and thinking these things now let's you hear them. I bet most of the list you'd make would be applicable today as much as it would have helped your teenage self at the time. We can all use the reminder.

The other great thing is that it lets you off the hook. You did not know then what you do now.

That's how you got here, by figuring it out as you went along. I'm pretty sure my younger self wouldn't have understood or followed half these things anyway. We always think we know more than we do at the time.

That last sentence seems important. If it's true, then there are some things you're doing right now that your future self could weigh in on.

With that in mind, I give you:

Five Tips From My Future Self

Listen up, self. It's the future calling and I see what you're doing. Time for an intervention on a few things.

1.    If it doesn't feel right, it isn't. Big duh from my future self. I know the difference between getting past trepidation with a little push, and forcing myself to do something because I think I have to, or I think I should, or I'm scared what could happen if I don't. Trust my gut.

2.    Keep. Going. I'm on the right track. I can't stop because everything I want hasn't materialized yet, or because I don't know what will happen. That's life, dear. It will only happen if I stick with it a little longer.

3.    If you don't think you're pretty, no one else is going to convince you otherwise. You'd think my younger self would have already learned this lesson. Seems all of my selves need this reminder.

4.    You did the right thing. See #1. Apparently I already needed the reminder. Thanks, future self.

5.    It will all make sense, but now is not the time to know. I may be the president of Overthinkers Anonymous. I can spend a lot of time trying-to-figure-something-out, when the truth is that when I'm supposed to understand, I will. Rushing to figure it out is a waste of energy. Clarity is just around the corner if I can let myself get there.

She's not done...one more for good measure.

6.    Stand still. Overthinking, rushing, figuring-out, should-ing, it's time to let them go for good. When I do, the things I have been trying-so-hard to make happen will show up on my door step. Believe it.

What does your future self have to say to you?

Please share your lists!