An Advice to My Younger Self by Safa

An Advice to My Younger Self by Safa - July 2025 Scholarship Essay

This is inspired by Jennae Cecelia's poem "I Met My Younger Self for Coffee." It really made me think: What would I tell my younger teenage self? So I jotted down 10 pieces of advice that I’d give to her. And maybe—just maybe—one of them is something you needed too. So grab a cozy drink—I've got my cup of tea with honey—and let’s jump in.

First of all, I don’t need to have everything figured out in five years because life gets messy. You don’t need a road map. Slow down. Rushing leads to mistakes and stress. Most things can wait a few minutes. Take your time and do things well. Don’t set an exception. Don’t rush! Just breathe, explore, and enjoy the process.

People will always have something to say. About how you look, how you think, and how you live. Not every opinion deserves space in your head. You can’t please everyone. Learn to filter out the noise. Keep the voices that come from love and compassion. Let go of the rest.

You see one page. God sees the whole book. You may think something is perfect for you, but God redirects you—and later you see why. Rejection is redirection. Always trust God’s wisdom.

Exercise may have been about changing how you looked, but as you grow older, it becomes more about supporting your mental health. Working out helps your brain feel clearer, tasks feel easier, and your mood lifts. It’s less about comparison and more about feeling good.

Fashion should prioritize practicality. The best outfits balance comfort and style. Consider the weather and your activities—painful shoes or tight clothes can ruin your day. Style doesn’t have to suffer for comfort.

Journaling is important when you're happy, not just when you're struggling. Capturing moments of joy gives life depth. Similarly, therapy might not feel helpful every session, but over time, it shapes your healing. 

Being alone can be empowering. You don’t need to wait for someone to join you. Your preferences expand when you're solo. Learn to enjoy your own company outside your comfort zone.

Friendships should enrich you, not deplete you. Focus on fewer, deeper connections and trust your intuition. If someone leaves you feeling unsure, that’s a sign.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help—early and calmly. And when others ask, show up.

Lastly, never underestimate the joy of a night in. Staying in brings peace, and you rarely regret choosing rest over chaos.

So those are the 10 things I would tell my younger self. And honestly… I’m not sure she would’ve listened. But I hope maybe you read something today that you needed.

Maybe it gave you peace. Or hope. Or a gentle reminder. It did for me.