Note To My (Younger) Self

I've been reading a lot of articles lately that asked the question, "If you could, what would you tell your younger self about work or life?"  Maybe it's because graduation season is on top of us and these seeds of advice are perfect for sending a young person off to work or more schooling.  
I asked my Facebook friends the question, "If you could give advice to your 22 year old self, what would it be?" and I received a lot of thoughtful (and fun) responses. They are the types of things that I would share with my own kids.

Follow your heart.

Go back to school; be it college or a good trade school.

Have more confidence.

Don’t look back, only forward.

Quit worrying.

You are perfect and loved just the way you are.

You were right! 

Learn how to recognize "crazy" people and don't put credence into their actions. (This is not a reference to people with mental illness. I'm referring to people with questionable motives). Also, actions speak louder than words.

Look at a problem from all sides, not all people are good people and continue to learn.

Take risks and read "The Sociopath Next Door" by Martha Stout.

Fearlessly commit and follow your passion. Use your talents and skills in a way that contributes something of substance to the world. And enjoy the journey that takes you from one stage of life to the next. Everything will work out fine if you stay true to yourself and be of service to others through your passion, talents, and skills.

Do what you love, love who loves you, save money, take time for nature, be happy and just breathe.

Give your guardian angels a day off once in awhile. And start putting money away.

Look for the perfect "Bad" example and do the opposite!

Plan for your retirement.

Learn healthy!

Keep an open mind, and keep family and friends first in your life. And be healthy! 

Don't be afraid to leave your "comfort zone." It may not work out, but at least try.

Follow your heart! No matter what. True freedom means responding to your inner guidance. Live in love forgive easily and well, be grateful and see life as joyful!

Follow your heart, work harder, I think the answer is different for everyone and different for every season of your life. If you indulge when you're young, you may sacrifice your security when you're older, but if you take the straight and narrow path you sacrifice the freedoms of youth. Everyone needs to make their peace with their decision and know that there is no single answer to a fulfilled life. 

Trust your own judgment to do what is right. 
 
Go back to teaching and find what you truly love to teach. Do it for you, not anyone else.

Travel a lot!  

Love yourself and find your passion!

There will be a time in the not-too-distant future when you will look around & feel like everyone else has it figured out--jobs, houses, "the one", maybe even kids. You will feel old & you will feel like you will never figure those things out. You're way younger than you think. Things will fall in place. And they don't have it figured out, no matter how it looks. Oh, and you'll look way hotter at 42 than you do right now. 

Stop playing around and get serious about your future because one day, God willing, you will have to rely on your savings and investments in your later years 

I also received some fun responses that make good sense such as, "I wouldn't have married so and so", (don't rush into marriage or a deep relationship at such a young age), "Buy stock in such and such", (study the market and plan ahead) and "You were right Mom!" (of course she was!).

Looking at this list now, I see that it's good for someone at any age.  We're never too old to learn something new, right? What would you tell your 22 year old self?