To The Person I Used To Be. by Leeasia

To The Person I Used To Be. by Leeasia - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

If I had the chance to sit down with my younger self, there is one piece of advice I would give her listen to Mom. Not just hear her, but truly trust her advice, take in her talks, and believe the lessons she tries to teach. My mom wasn’t just talking to fill the ear; she was trying to protect me, to guide me through a world that she knew would test me. It took me years and some painful lessons to fully understand that not everyone in your life wants the best for you, and many of the people you call friends are only there for what they can gain. But my mom? She was always in my corner, even when I didn’t want to believe it.
Growing up, I often brushed off my mom’s warnings. I thought she was being overly protective or too harsh. When she told me, “That girl isn’t your friend,” or “Be careful who you tell your business to,” I rolled my eyes and chalked it up to her being “old-fashioned.” I wanted to believe the best in everyone. I thought loyalty meant something to everyone the way it did to me. I thought the people I laughed with, shared secrets with, and cried with would always be there. I didn’t realize some people are only loyal to their needs and will turn on you the moment it benefits them.
Looking back, I realize my mom saw things I couldn’t. She saw through fake smiles, false friendships, and manipulative behavior long before I had the experience to recognize it. She knew that life could be cold and that not everyone had a warm heart. She wasn’t trying to scare me; she was trying to prepare me. And every lesson she gave whether it was through a quiet talk in the kitchen or a stern lecture after I ignored her advice was rooted in love and wisdom.
It wasn’t until I experienced betrayal, heartbreak, and disappointment that her words started ringing louder in my mind. I began to realize that not everyone clapping for you is happy for you, and sometimes the people closest to you are the ones who hope you fail. But when everything else felt uncertain, my mom’s words were still there solid, grounding, and real.
Trusting my mom’s advice didn’t just help me protect my heart; it helped me grow into the woman I am today. A woman who is cautious but not closed off. A woman who listens more and trusts slowly. A woman who values her inner circle because she knows not everyone deserves access to her energy. I’ve learned to set boundaries, to value myself, and to never apologize for walking away from people who don’t treat me right.
If I could go back and give my past self one piece of advice, it would be this: Mom was right. Trust her, lean on her, and keep her words close. She loves you more than anyone else ever will, and her guidance will be the compass that leads you through life’s toughest storms.