Dear 20-year old self…

I recently came across an article in MindBodyGreen.com where the author wrote out a list of ten things that she’d tell her 20-year-old self.  While the article was uplifting, I felt that the list provided generic advice like, “be the best you can be!” which can be applied in any decade of life. In my twenties I was a highly emotional, temperamental, party-going, burger eating, mini-skirt wearing, insecure wee thing. Now I’m not saying that I have life all figured out in my 30′s, because I don’t. In fact, when I see my patients in practice I focus on what I know, which is offering real value so that they can feel sexy from the inside out. Education and practice aside, much of my abilities as a practitioner is because of life experience and being able to relate to people one-on-one. How else are you going to trust someone enough to hand over your health to them?

So if I had to tell my 20-year-old self something, here’s the letter I’d actually write (and heck, maybe you can relate).

Dear 20-year-old self,

I’m writing you from the future (nope no flying cars yet). Life is good here but there’ll be some unexpected changes along the way. I’ve learned quite a bit from the experiences I’ve had and I thought I’d give you some advice from one Melissa to another.

1. It’s okay if you change careers in your late twenties. Being 30-something is actually not old and you’re going to turn that age anyway.
2. Despite wanting a tattoo, don’t do it. Go for the piercing instead – you can take it out later and no one will ever know.
3. You will find love again.
4. Stop eating crap. By the time you’re in your late twenties, it’ll catch up and you’ll gain weight in places you never did before.
5. You can do it alone, so stop looking for answers in another dead relationship. Being alone will hollow you a bit, but it’ll make you stronger.
6. There is a value to working shitty jobs at times – the hard work will pay off. Stay focused and stop obsessing that it sucks so hard. It’ll pass.
7. Your “differentness” is your advantage and you’ll see just how by the time you hit your thirties. In the meantime, stop trying to fit in.
8. It’s okay if you don’t get married by the time you’re thirty. You’re not a freak of societal nature.
9. Forgive yourself because you’ll make some pretty big mistakes.
10. Your parents are pretty cool, so cut them some slack.
11. Admit and accept that there’s so much you don’t know yet (and truthfully I tell that to myself in my thirties)…and that’s thrilling.

P.S. Despite you thinking that 30′s is over the hill, believe it or not you’ll look and feel even better in your thirties than you do right now.

xo

Love you…

Your 30-something year old self.