A Letter to My 20-Something Self
Michelle, I see you, freshly graduated and feeling like the world is supposed to make sense now. You’re holding that degree like it’s a golden ticket, thinking it’s your pass to a perfect life—love, career, health, all of it. But here’s the truth: life’s about to get real, quickly.
First Love: It’s Okay to Let Go
I know what you’re thinking: this relationship feels different. This is your first real adult love, and it’s intense. It’s all-encompassing, and you’re convinced it’s going to last forever. But here’s a life lesson from future you: not all love stories are meant to last, and that’s okay.
You’ll pour your heart into this love, but you’ll also realize that sometimes, love isn’t enough. Relationships are about timing, growth, and understanding, and sometimes those things don’t line up. Letting go won’t mean you’ve failed. It’ll mean you’ve grown. And one day, you’ll look back and see that the love you had was a stepping stone—preparing you for the deeper, richer love that’s coming.
Career: The Plan Isn’t Linear
Remember when you thought you had your whole career mapped out? That plan you made in college about the perfect job, the dream office, the steady climb to success? Yeah, that plan is about to get flipped upside down.
You're 20-something self will take jobs that excite you, and then you’ll quit them. You’ll step into roles that feel right, only to find they don’t quite fit. But here’s the thing—every twist, every change is part of building the career that’s uniquely yours.
One day, you’ll be a creative entrepreneur with a book, films, and projects that blend your love for storytelling and entrepreneurship. But to get there, you’ll have to stumble, take risks, and learn from the jobs that don’t quite work out. The confusion? It’s part of the process. You don’t have to fit into anyone’s box, Michelle. You’re building your own lane.
Health: The Unexpected Won’t Break You
Let me warn you about something you didn’t see coming: your health. You’ll face challenges—the kind that shake you to your core. These aren’t the health issues you imagined dealing with in your 20s, but they’ll show up anyway.
It’ll feel unfair, like the world is piling on when you’re already struggling to balance life. But guess what? These challenges won’t break you. In fact, they’ll teach you how to prioritize yourself, how to listen to your body, and how to advocate for your own well-being. And every step you take to care for yourself will make you stronger, even when it feels like you’re barely holding on.
Boundaries: Saying No is Powerful
Here’s one lesson 20-something you needs more than anything: boundaries are everything. You’ve spent a lot of time saying “yes” to things that drained you—friends, family, jobs—because you thought it was your responsibility to make everyone happy.
But listen closely: you can’t pour from an empty cup. You’ll learn to say “no” when something doesn’t serve you, and it’ll be the most freeing thing you’ve ever done. Saying “no” doesn’t make you selfish; it makes you smart. It gives you the space to focus on your own well-being, your dreams, and your peace. And that’s a lesson you’ll carry with you into every stage of life.
The Blessing of Getting Older
I know you’re thinking about the future with a mix of excitement and fear. You’re worried about gray hairs, career missteps, and whether you’re on the right path. Let me tell you something: getting older is a blessing!
By the time you hit 40-something, you’ll be living a life you can’t even dream of right now. You’ll be a wife, a mom, a creative entrepreneur, an author, and a filmmaker. And while the gray hairs and small aches will show up, they’re reminders of everything you’ve built. They’re proof that you’ve lived, grown, and conquered.
Oh, and one more thing—you’ll finally decide to loc your hair, and it’ll be one of the best decisions you ever make!
Remember to Breathe
Michelle, you don’t have to have it all figured out right now. Life’s going to get messy, but it’ll also be beautiful. You’ll face love, loss, career shifts, and health challenges, but you’ll come out on the other side stronger and more sure of yourself. This letter to my 20-something self is here to remind you that you’ve got everything you need within you. And trust me, the best is yet to come.
With love,
40-Something Michelle
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